The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.) — The Coast Guard is preparing to rescue the injured 2nd mate of the Greek flagged merchant vessel Aegean Angel approximately 500 miles northeast of Bermuda Friday.
Coast Guard watchstanders at the Coast Guard 5th District were contacted Friday morning by the Minister of Citizen protection in Greece, who was requesting assistance in the rescue.
During a lull in heavy ocean conditions Thursday night, the Aegean Angel’s captain, 1st mate, and 2nd mate went out to investigate the integrity of the ship when it took a big wave, which killed the captain and the first mate and injured the 2nd mate.
A Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew and a C-130 airplane crew are scheduled to fly to Bermuda Friday before attempting the medevac Sunday.
