An Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew medevacs a 62-year-old mariner off a fishing vessel 82-miles north of Kahului, Maui, Oct. 10, 2018. The MH-65 Dolphin was then able to transport the mariner to Maui Memorial Hospital. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Barbers Point/Released)
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard successfully medevaced a 62-year-old mariner off a fishing vessel 82-miles north of Kahului, Wednesday.
"Our trained crews and hoist-capable aircraft are vital to ensuring mariners reach a higher level of medical care quickly," said Lt. j.g. Celesta Brosowsky, a command duty officer with Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. "Our aircrews worked effectively with the fishermen to conduct the hoist, and delivered their captain in stable condition to awaiting emergency medical services."
An Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew hoisted the man from the vessel and transported him safely to Maui Memorial Hospital.
At 1:15 p.m., Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a call from the owner of the 82-foot fishing vessel Pacific Star reporting the captain was experiencing a medical emergency. A duty flight surgeon was consulted, determined the captain was displaying symptoms of a stroke and recommended a medevac to a higher level of medical care.
The Dolphin crew launched to conduct the medevac and an HC-130 Hercules aircrew flew cover to provide communications. The crew of a Green Peace vessel, the Arctic Sunrise, was 35 miles away from the fishing vessel and diverted to render assistance as they had a paramedic aboard. The Dolphin crew arrived on scene and successfully hoisted the captain from the Pacific Star before bringing him back to Maui.
The Pacific Star is currently returning to homeport. The weather at the time of the case was winds of 16 mph and seas of 8 feet.
-USCG-