Injured crewman airlifted 260 miles off N. Carolina

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

(CAPE LOOKOUT, N.C.) — The Coast Guard medevaced an injured oil tanker crewmember approximately 260 miles southeast of Cape Lookout on Thursday evening.

Watch standers at the Coast Guard's 5th District command center were notified by watch standers from the Coast Guard's 7th District command center that a 39-year-old man aboard the 723-foot oil tanker New Activity reportedly suffered injuries after experiencing a fall and was in need of a medevac.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter air crew and an HC-130J Hercules air crew launched from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City. 

The Hercules air crew arrived first, providing visual oversight and communications support while crewmembers aboard the Jayhawk arrived on scene and hoisted the man aboard the helicopter.

The mariner was medevaced to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point where he was transferred to an emergency medical services helicopter air crew, who brought him to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

"Cases far offshore require a great deal of cooperation and coordination, and our partners at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point were able to provide everything necessary in these areas," said Lt. Christopher Saylor, command duty officer at the Coast Guard's 5th District command center. "The ability of the tanker to contact and communicate their need for medical assistance was also an expediting factor in this rescue, and helped air crews to determine the fastest course of action to take."

The crewmember's condition was not disclosed.

By Professional Mariner Staff