A report went in to the Coast Guard 17thh District Command Center on Tuesday reporting a crewmember aboard the F/V Optimus had suffered a severe laceration from a fishing hook while fishing in the Gulf of Alaska.

Because of the severity of the wound, the Command Center immediately ordered the launch of a MH-60 Jayhawk to the scene from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak.

Upon their arrival at the vessel, the crew of the Jayhawk hoisted the injured crewmember aboard the helicopter and proceeded to Anchorage where he was admitted into the Providence Alaska Medical Center. Weather at the scene was reported to be four-foot seas and winds of 10 MPH.

“Due to the severe nature of the injury, our duty flight surgeon recommended the medevac take place within a 4-hour window,” said Lt. j.g. Alaina Fagan, a command duty officer at the 17th District command center. “Because of the readiness of our crew in Kodiak and proficient communications between assets, we were able to complete the mission in 2 1/2 hours.”

The man was reported in stable condition upon his arrival at the hospital.

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