PORT ANGELES — A Coast Guard aircrew medically evacuated an ill man off the cruise ship Norwegian Joy on Monday, which was operating 20 miles off the coast of Cape Flattery. The incident was followed Tuesday by another medical evacuation, this time while the vessel was off the coast of Oregon.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Sector Field Office/Air Station Port Angeles on Monday night hoisted a 71-year-old man reportedly suffering heart complications and transported him to Station Neah Bay where he was transferred to a Lifeflight Network aircrew. The man was then flown to Providence Hospital in Everett for further care.
The condition of the unidentified man is unknown at this time.
The initial call for assistance was received by Coast Guard 13th District Command Center watchstanders at 6:55 p.m.
The watchstanders directed the launch of the Port Angeles aircrew at 7:40 p.m. after conferring with the duty flight surgeon.
In the meantime the Norwegian Joy turned back toward Cape Flattery to reduce distance from emergency responders.
The Coast Guard aircrew conducted the hoist at 9:25 p.m. leaving the Coast Guard aviation survival technician on board the cruise ship and taking the ship’s doctor and patient to shore.
The Lifeflight Network received the patient at 10:16 p.m. and transported the patient to Providence Hospital. The Coast Guard then retrieved the AST off the cruise ship.
Evacuation off Oregon
On Tuesday afternoon, a Coast Guard aircrew medically evacuated another ill man off the same cruise ship, which by that time was operating 33 miles off the coast of Coos Bay, Ore.
According to a Coast Guard press release, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Sector North Bend (Ore.) hoisted a 61-year-old Filipino man reportedly suffering heart complications and transported him to the sector’s air base.
He was then transferred to a Life Flight Network aircrew and flown to Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend in Springfield, Ore., for further care.
