The Command Center Diverted An MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter Crew To The Scene

A Coast Guard aircrew medevaced a woman from a ship Saturday afternoon experiencing breathing difficulty and temporary unconsciousness off the Washington coast near Neah Bay.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound command center received a call at 11:30 a.m. from the ship’s health insurance provider stating a 65-year-old woman aboard the vessel needed medical attention.

At the time, the 710-foot container ship, Matson Kodiak, was transiting westbound in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The command center diverted an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles who was already airborne near Seattle.

At 1 p.m., the rescue crew arrived on scene, deployed the rescue swimmer to assist, and safely hoisted the woman. The aircrew then proceeded en route to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles. She was transferred to higher medical care at 1:50 p.m.

The patient’s current medical condition is unknown.

The H-65 Dolphin has been in the Coast Guard’s inventory since 1984. The Coast Guard is upgrading the helicopters with state-of-the-market enhancements that will extend mission capabilities and improve their reliability and maintainability. This conversion and sustainment project adds digital technology, including GPS and inertial navigation, flight control, weather radar and cockpit instruments.

Since 2007, the entire fleet has been equipped with new engines that add 40% more power and airborne use of force capabilities, redesignating the aircraft MH-65s. Additionally, the Coast Guard is executing a Service Life Extension Project (SLEP) to extend the service life the H-65 Dolphin by 10,000 flights hours.

FMI: www.uscg.mil