U.S. Citizen Had Medical Emergency Requiring Higher Care Level

The U.S. Coast Guard conducted an emergency medical evacuation of a 64-year-old woman from the cruise ship Celebrity Apex in the Atlantic Ocean about 140 nm northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on November 3, 2024.

The woman, who is a U.S. citizen, required an elevated level of medical care upon reaching shore.

Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan were notified by a communication from the Celebrity Apex about the medical emergency. A medical evacuation to a higher level of care was requested.

The watchstanders coordinated the arrangements and directed the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla to rendezvous with the cruise ship.

When they arrived, the helicopter deployed the Coast Guard rescue swimmer to the ship. He then used the rescue basket to hoist the patient along with her spouse and the cruise ship nurse aboard the helicopter.

The helicopter flew to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Local emergency medical service personnel were waiting and transported the patient to a local Centro Medico Hospital.

Lt. William Boardman, Air Station Borinquen MH-60T aircraft commander for the case commented: "Thanks to the outstanding coordination between Sector San Juan, the crew of the Celebrity Apex and our team at Air Station Borinquen, we were able to safely conduct the hoist and transport of three individuals from the cruise ship. The patient was successfully transferred to EMS and transported to a higher level of care, and I’m proud of the professionalism displayed throughout the mission.”

FMI:  www.news.uscg.mil/