MEDIA RELEASE

U.S. Coast Guard crewmembers aboard an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Honolulu, medically evacuated an ill fisherman Thursday who was aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Rush, 150 miles southwest of Oahu.

The 59-year-old captain of the Big Island-based fishing vessel Pacific Blue was medically evacuated from his vessel 370 miles southwest of Oahu, Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. After the successful hoist, he was then flown to the Rush.

The Rush traveled until it was within 150 miles from Oahu when the Dolphin’s rescue crew was able to take off and continue the medical evacuation.

The Dolphin’s crew transferred the fisherman to awaiting staff at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Crewmembers aboard the Rush and the Dolphin got underway to assist this rescue Tuesday evening. In an effort to increase the Dolphin’s transit distance, the crew landed aboard the Rush as they traveled to the ill fisherman.

Watchstanders here in the 24-hour Coast Guard Command Center received a call Monday at 11:30 a.m., from a family member concerned about the health of the captain. The family member reported his brother was feeling very ill and was in need of immediate medical assistance.

The crew of the Pacific Blue was 820 nautical miles southwest of Oahu at the time of the initial report.

A crew aboard an HC-130 Hercules airplane, from Air Station Barbers Point, was also launched to assist this medevac to provide cover from above.