The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(MOBILE, Ala.) — The Coast Guard medevaced a man from a 738-foot freighter approximately 10 nautical miles offshore Mobile, Sunday, in the Gulf of Mexico.
Watchstanders of Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a call from the Great Wisdom requesting a medevac for a crewmember who was working on a hatch cover when a chain fall and a hammer fell on his right hand and wrist. The crewman experienced bleeding and possible fracture to his hand. The ship’s captain administered first aid and placed the crewman’s hand in a wooden splint and placed on ice.
A Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65C Dolphin helicopter and crew launched from Destin, Fla., and successfully hoisted and transported the crewman to Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, where an ambulance transported the him to Providence Hospital.
“We had to maneuver around some convection currents from the tropical storm to reach the crewman safely,” said Ensign Timothy Williams, command duty officer for Sector Mobile. “Our pilots and crews are highly trained and eager to help.â€
His condition is unknown.