HOUSTON — A 57-year-old Ukrainian man was medevaced Saturday morning after he was found to be experiencing stroke-like symptoms aboard a tanker approximately 18 miles off Galveston.
A contract medical service called Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders at 9:50 a.m. to report the man's condition and ask for assistance aboard the 800-foot tanker, Overseas Beryl.
The watchstanders launched an aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Air Station Houston to recover the man.
The aircrew transported him to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for immediate medical care.
"Identifying a medical emergency in a timely manner increases our chances to assist mariners before the situation deteriorates to tragedy," said Lt. Matthew J. Walter, a command duty officer at Sector Houston-Galveston. "The sooner you can notify the Coast Guard that such emergencies exist, the quicker we can respond. When out on the water, always have a way to communicate back to us ashore."