On Wednesday, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter stationed out of Air Station Kodiak and forward-deployed to Saint Paul Island performed a medevac operation for the fishing vessel "North Sea."

The request for assistance came into the 17th District Watchstanders just before 2 pm yesterday afternoon. The call reported that a 23-year-old crewmember aboard the 126-foot vessel was suffering seizure-like symptoms.

The “North Sea,” a Seattle-based crabber taking part in the Bering Sea Crab fishery currently in progress, was 60 miles southwest of Saint Paul when they issued their request.

The Jayhawk launched from Saint Paul at 3:19 pm, arrived at the scene at 4:10 pm, performed a hoist of the afflicted crewmember, and transported him back to Saint Paul. Emergency Medical Services personnel were waiting when the helicopter arrived and prepared him for further medevac to Anchorage.

“Having forward operating locations in place around Alaska during peak seasons of maritime activity, greatly reduces the time it takes to respond to emergencies and allows us to save lives,” said Lt. Bernard Auth of the Coast Guard 17th District.

The weather on scene at the time of the incident was reportedly 6-foot seas and 29 mph winds.