KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced a 66-year-old man from the 780-foot cruise ship Amsterdam near the Dixon Entrance, Tuesday.
The Jayhawk crew safely hoisted the man, who was reportedly suffering signs of kidney failure, aboard the helicopter and transported him to commercial medical services in Sitka for a higher level of treatment.
Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received the request for medevac from the Canadian coast guard in Prince Rupert. The Canadian coast guard requested U.S. Coast Guard assistance because they were unable to conduct the medevac due to high winds.
Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of the Jayhawk crew to meet the Amsterdam when the ship reached the Dixon Entrance.
“This case illustrates the close coordination with our Canadian partners,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Erik Ihle, watchstander at Coast Guard 17th District command center. “Working with the Canadian coast guard and the cruise ship, we were able to successfully organize a response and get this man to the emergency care that he needed.”
Weather at the time of the incident was reported as 52 mph winds, two-foot waves, 11 miles visibility.