Coast Guard airlifts injured man from freighter Columbia

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. – The crew of a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Humboldt Bay rescued a critically injured crew member from a 700-foot freighter 50 miles off the coast of Trinidad, Calif., Wednesday, November 23.

Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay received a radio call from the motor vessel Caribbean requesting a medevac for one of their crewmembers who was injured after being knocked down aboard the ship in rough seas.

At approximately 2 p.m. Air Station Humboldt Bay launched an MH-65 helicopter to meet the container ship 50 miles offshore where the aircrew sucessfully recovered the injured crewmember.

The injured crewmember was taken back to the Air Station at the Arcata Airport where an ambulance was waiting for transport the him to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka, Calif.

The North Coast sea can be unpredictable and dangerous. Having all the necessary emergency equipment before getting underway is the best way to stay safe.

The Coast Guard would like to re-iterate the importance of having life jackets, first aid packs, and properly operating electronics including radios and navigation systems on board.

111123-G-0000X-001 Aircrew transfers injured M/V Columbia crewmember to waiting EMS personnel

EUREKA, Calif. - The crew of a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter transfers an injured crewmember of the motor vessel Columbia to awaiting emergency medical personnel at Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay Wednesday, November 23, 2011. The crewmember sustained injuries aboard the Columbia in rough seas and was taken off the ship by the aircrew and taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Eureka by emergency medical personnel. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

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