Injured crewman lifted from cargo ship off Alaska

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

(KODIAK, Alaska) — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, deployed to the Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau, medevaced an injured crewmember from the 738-foot container vessel Kerveros approximately 86 miles from Dutch Harbor Thursday.

The Dolphin crew rendezvoused with the Kerveros and safely hoisted the 43-year-old Filipino man aboard the helicopter and transported him to awaiting commercial medevac services in Dutch Harbor for further transport to Anchorage for advanced medical care.

Coast Guard Communication Station Kodiak watchstanders received a request for assistance from the captain of the Kerveros at 11:29 a.m. when the crewmember aboard the Panamanian-flagged Kerveros was found in his room unconscious. The container vessel was approximately 115 miles northwest of Dutch Harbor.

Once the Kerveros was within 86 miles of Dutch Harbor, the Dolphin crew departed Dutch Harbor, arrived on scene and safely conducted the hoist. Additionally, Morgenthau, homeported out of Honolulu, was on standby to provide self-rescue capabilities if the need arose.

“This case illustrates the importance of Coast Guard assets patrolling the Bering, as well as the training and coordination of our aircraft crews,” said Petty Officer 1st Class James Fangman, a watchstander at the Coast Guard 17th District command center. “A safe and timely rescue may not have been possible without the coverage and coordination Coast Guard crews provide year-round in the Bering Sea and North Pacific Ocean.”

Weather on scene at the time of the incident was reported as 40 mph winds and 13-foot seas. The Kerveros was on a voyage from Canada to China along the North Pacific Great Circle route.

By Professional Mariner Staff