KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced an injured crewman from the bulk carrier Anne Mette near Adak Monday.
The Jayhawk crew rendezvoused with the Anne Mette approximately 200 miles southwest of Adak, safely hoisted the man aboard and transferred him to an Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules airplane crew in Adak. The Hercules crew then transported the man to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage where he was transferred to emergency medical services for further medical care.
Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders were contacted by the Coast Guard Pacific Area command center, relaying a request for assistance from the master of the 606-foot bulk carrier. The vessel master reported that a 20-year-old crewman had suffered multiple injuries during a fall onboard the vessel and needed medical assistance.
Due to the distances involved, multiple aircraft and crews were dispatched to conduct the rescue including: two MH-60 Jawhawk helicopters, two HC-130 Hercules airplanes and a combined total of 31 aircrew as well as associated groundcrews.
“Air Station Kodiak’s focus on training, standardization, and teamwork enable us to safely and successfully carry out long range rescues such as the medical evacuation of a crewmember from the bulk carrier Anne Mette, 200 miles southwest of Adak,” said Capt. Melissa Rivera, the commanding officer of Air Station Kodiak. “Distance, limited fueling sites and poor weather conditions were additional challenges for the four aircraft and eight aircrews who worked together to save this mariner’s life. A case like this is truly an all hands evolution for Air Station Kodiak.”
Weather at the time of the incident was reported as 17 to 34 mph winds and 9-foot seas.
The Anne Mette is flagged out of the United Kingdom and is homeported in Douglas on the Isle of Man.
Source: USCG
