Cargo ship crewman airlifted after falling from ladder (with VIDEO)

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

(WARRENTON, Ore.) — A Coast Guard air crew performed a medical evacuation of an injured crewmember from a 618-foot cargo vessel over 170 miles offshore from the Columbia River on Saturday.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in Warrenton safely transported the 23-year-old man to the air station where he was transferred over to emergency medical personnel, who took him to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria.

Watch standers at Sector Columbia River received the assistance request via the agent for the vessel Global Saikai after one of the crewmembers reportedly fell while on a ladder and broke his right arm.

The vessel is en route to Kashima, Japan, from Longview, Wash., with a load of logs.

Weather on scene reported as raining with light wind, with 13-foot seas and nine-mile visibility.

Click here to see the video.

By Professional Mariner Staff