VENICE, Fla. — A 46-year-old man was medically evacuated by Coast Guard helicopter crewmembers after suffering from chest pains aboard a 48-foot fishing vessel, 100 miles west of here, Thursday.
A crewmember aboard the fishing vessel, Amy Lynn, contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 6:37 p.m., stating a fellow crewmember was suffering from shortness of breath and chest pains and needed immediate medical attention.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew, already airborne from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, was diverted at 6:39 p.m.
The Jayhawk crew arrived on scene at 7:20 p.m., safely hoisted the man into the cabin and transported him to Tampa General Hospital for further care.
"In situations like these, good communication and working equipment is critical and by having it aboard we were able to have a successful rescue this evening," said Petty Officer 1st Class Ronnie Leavell, search and rescue coordinator at the Sector.