Coast Guard medevacs man from freighter in Detroit River

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

(CLEVELAND) — A Coast Guard boat crew medically evacuated a 52-year-old man from a 730-foot motor vessel on the Detroit River late Wednesday evening.

The man's name and hometown are not being released, and there is no Coast Guard imagery.

At about 11:30 p.m., a 730-foot Canadian-flagged motor vessel contacted the communications watchstander at Coast Guard Station Belle Isle, in Detroit, requesting a medevac for a 52-year-old crew member who was reporting severe pain in his leg and believed it could be caused by a blood clot.

Coast Guard Sector Detroit Command Center personnel contacted the flight surgeon to request a medevac using Station Belle Isle's 45-foot Response Boat-Medium.

The medevac was approved, and a Station Belle Isle boat crew launched aboard their RB-M and transported the man to Sector Detroit where they were met by emergency medical services, who took the man to Detroit Receiving Hospital.

Sector Detroit command center personnel notified U.S. Customs and Border Protection who approved the man's entry into the U.S. Additionally, they confirmed the motor vessel could replace the crew member to ensure it could meet safe manning requirements.

The man's condition is unknown at this time.

By Professional Mariner Staff