US Coast Guard rescues man off Bahamas coast
FLORIDA, CMC – The United States (US) Coast Guard says it rescued a 44-year-old man from a motor vessel 250 miles northeast of Nassau, Bahamas on Saturday, after he complained of stomach pains.
It said the man has since been taken to Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau to receive a “higher level of care.
“Coast Guard Seventh District watch standers received a medevac request from the motor vessel Skyfall stating one of their crew members was reportedly suffering from severe stomach pain,” the US Coast Guard said.
“Watch standers instructed the vessel to navigate to 250 miles northeast of Nassau and consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended the medevac.”
The US Coast Guard said a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and an HC-130 Hercules aeroplane aircrew were deployed 495 miles from Air Station Clearwater, Florida to the scene.
“Coordination between the motor vessel, district watch standers, our aircrew and the US and Bahamas emergency operation centres ensured the timely and successful execution of the medevac,” said Chief Petty Officer Ryan Andzelik, Coast Guard Seventh District command centre watchstander.
“This display of our crew’s exceptional capabilities shows just how important it is to have a communication device on your vessel. We recommend having a properly working marine VHF radio, a well-charged cellphone in a waterproof case and a properly registered EPIRB [Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons] and PLB [Personal Locator Beacons] on board,” he added.