ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak, forward deployed to Cold Bay, medevaced a 48-year-old man from the 272-foot fishing vessel American Dynasty approximately 95 miles northwest of Cold Bay, Monday.

The helicopter crew flew the man to the Cold Bay Clinic for subsequent transport to Anchorage by commercial medevac services.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard 17^th District command center in Juneau were notified of the man’s injury by Health Force Partners, medical support providers for the crew of the American Dynasty. It was reported he was suffering from severe abdominal pain. The watchstanders consulted the duty flight surgeon who recommended the medevac.

“This case highlights the value of our hoist capable helicopters deployed to forward operating locations throughout Alaska,” said Lt. Cmdr. Doug Watson of the Coast Guard 17^th District response management department. “Alaska Patrol assets, such as our Jayhawk crews, are able to respond quickly to medical cases involving mariners aboard vessels engaged in the busy fisheries of Western Alaska and get them to the advanced care they need.”

The Coast Guard maintains a seasonal forward operating location in Cold Bay to serve as search and rescue and fisheries enforcement assets. These crews greatly reduce the time required to reach distressed vessels within the region.

Weather conditions at the time of the medevac were reportedly clear skies with 6-mph winds from the northeast and 5-foot seas. The American Dynasty is homeported in Seattle.

For more information, please contact the Coast Guard public affairs office at 907-428-4140.

Source: USCG