SEATTLE — A Coast Guard aircrew medevaced a Sailor from a U.S. Navy destroyer Tuesday, Dec. 3, off the coast of Washington. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received an initial request for medevac from crew members aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) approximately 34 miles offshore at 10:31 a.m. A 22-year-old female Sailor aboard the ship reported experiencing chest pains and was being treated by naval medical personnel. A Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew rendezvoused with the destroyer at a coordinated location at approximately 3 a.m. The aircrew was unable to complete an initial hoist attempt due to hazardous weather conditions. The aircrew returned to Air Station Port Angeles to refuel. The aircrew launched a second time at 5:34 a.m. and successfully hoisted the Sailor off the destroyer at 6:37 a.m. The patient was transported to awaiting medical personnel at Air Station Port Angeles before being taken to Olympic Medical Center for further treatment.
