SAN DIEGO - U.S. Coast Guard aircrews from San Diego and Sacramento worked together to airlift a passenger in need of medical attention from a cruise ship approximately 200 miles southwest of San Diego, Friday morning.
The cruise ship Zaandam's crew contacted the Coast Guard Thursday afternoon, requesting a medical evacuation for a 71-year-old woman who was experiencing a serious internal medical condition.
The cruise ship, which was travelling from Hawaii to Ensenada, Mexico, changed course to reduce the distance to San Diego.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and Coast Guard flight surgeon took off from Sector San Diego at 5 a.m., Friday to meet the ship 200 miles off shore.
A C-130 Hercules airplane crew from Air Station Sacramento also launched to provide communication and coordination support during the medevac.
The helicopter crew hoisted the woman into the aircraft and transported her to Sector San Diego where she was transferred to emergency medical personnel for further care at 9:15 a.m.
Follow the link for video of the medevac: https://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1904152
Additional video: http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1904197
