KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced a fisherman from the 76-foot fishing vessel Polaris 23 miles northwest of Chirikof Island in the Gulf of Alaska Tuesday.

Coast Guard Communications Station Kodiak watchstanders received a request from the Polaris crew just before noon for a medevac of a 57-year-old crewman reportedly suffering from abdominal pain. Coast Guard District 17 watchstanders consulted the duty Coast Guard flight surgeon who assessed the patient’s symptoms and concurred with the medevac request. They then directed the launch of the Jayhawk crew to respond. The rescue helicopter crew safely hoisted the patient from the vessel and delivered him to awaiting emergency medical crews in Kodiak at 4:06 p.m. for further transport to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center for treatment.

“The Coast Guard provides a critical link to lifesaving medical services for mariners with medical emergencies,” said Lt. Crystal Hudak, command duty officer District 17 command center. “Our service is ideally suited to rescue mariners from vessels at sea because our helicopters, equipped with hoist capabilities, allow us to retrieve and deliver patients to EMS, reducing the time it takes for patients to receive medical care. That timing is often critical to saving a life.”

Source: United States Coast Guard