Medevac Off Washington Coast, Dec. 24

The Coast Guard medically evacuated an ill Filipino man off a containership 85 miles off the coast of Washington late Thursday night, Dec. 20. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew safely hoisted the 48-year-old man, reportedly suffering symptoms related to a stroke, and transported him to Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in Warrenton, Oregon, where he was transferred to Columbia Memorial Hospital by emergency medical services. Watchstanders at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Seattle received the medevac request at 6:10 p.m., from the captain of the motor vessel OOCL New York, which was headed toward South Korea from its last port of call in Seattle. At the time of the call, the OOCL New York was 100 miles west of Cape Flattery and was instructed to turn east and head closer to the Washington Coast. The Jayhawk aircrew conducted the hoist at 10:33 p.m., and transferred the patient at 11:26 p.m. The condition of the man is unknown at this time. Customs and Border Protection personnel were briefed and the patient has a current passport.