KODIAK, Alaska — An Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced an ailing crewmember aboard a fishing vessel approximately 69 miles southeast of Chignik Thursday.

A 17^th Coast Guard District watchstander received a report at 3:32 a.m. of a 32-year-old crewman aboard the fishing vessel Cape Caution who was suffering from severe abdominal distress. Air Station Kodiak launched a rescue helicopter and aircrew at 4:45 a.m. who arrived on scene at 6:31 a.m. and successfully hoisted the patient.

“The Coast Guard is routinely called upon to rescue sick and injured mariners from remote places in Alaska,” said Lt. Doug Watson of the 17^th Coast Guard District command center. “With our hoist capable helicopters we are able to pick up and transport people in distress to emergency services much faster than their vessel can transit into a port.”

The aircrew transferred the patient to a Kodiak City Fire Department ambulance crew at Air Station Kodiak who transported him to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment.