Crewman medevaced after leg injury off southeast Alaska

The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(JUNEAU, Alaska) — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced a 22-year-old man with a leg injury from the motor vessel Coastal Progress 160 miles southwest of Kodiak, Alaska, on Monday.

The Jayhawk crew safely hoisted the man and transported him to awaiting EMS personnel in Kodiak.

Watch standers at the Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command center received a medevac request from Discovery Health Partners for a crewmember aboard Coastal Progress suffering from a reported broken leg. Watch standers requested the launch of the Jayhawk crew after consulting the duty flight surgeon who recommended medevac of the crewmember.

“The Jayhawk crew’s extensive training allowed them to maneuver and maintain a safe altitude over the large vessel,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Macera, Sector Anchorage watch stander. “The professionalism of the Coastal Progress crew allowed the Jayhawk crew to successfully complete the hoist and take the man to higher medical care.”

Weather on scene was reported as 10-mph winds and 2-foot seas.

By Professional Mariner Staff