The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(KODIAK, Alaska) — The Coast Guard medevaced an injured 55-year-old man off the 738-foot Panama-flagged freight ship Lowlands Maine approximately 115 miles south of Dutch Harbor on Wednesday.
A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, deployed aboard Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley, safely hoisted the mariner for transport to commercial medical services in Dutch Harbor.
Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders in Juneau received a call from the ship’s agent Tuesday that the mariner had injured his hand in the engine room and requested medical assistance. Due to risk of infection, the duty flight surgeon recommended the medevac once the vessel was within range for a medevac to be carried out.
"This case highlights the capability of our Dolphin helicopter forward deployed aboard the Alex Haley,” said Lt. Colin Boyle, 17th District command center watchstander. “Due to their proximity to the vessel, the aircrew was able to assist the injured mariner in a remote portion of our area of responsibility, and get him to the medical treatment he needed."
Weather at the time of the medevac was reported as calm.
