Coast Guard Medevacs 42-Year-Old Man From Fishing Boat Off San Diego

The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 42-year-old man from the sportfishing vessel Outrider approximately 70 miles south of San Diego, Friday morning.

Outrider crewmembers contacted Coast Guard Sector San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center watchstanders at approximately 11 p.m., Thursday night, requesting assistance for a passenger who was displaying seizure-like symptoms.

Watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Sector San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter with a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) Team paramedic aboard to assist.

Once on scene, the Jayhawk crew lowered the rescue swimmer to Outrider to assess the patient, and then safely hoisted the patient into the helicopter.

The crew transported the patient to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla where he was reported to be in stable condition.

The MH-60 medium range recovery helicopter began to operate in the 1990s as a replacement to the now-retired HH-3F Pelican. The helicopter employs full night-vision-device capability. It's primary tactical navigation is accomplished through blended GPS and inertial navigation system receivers.

The normal cruising speed of the MH-60T is 155 to 161 mph,  and the aircraft is capable of reaching 207 mph for short durations. It can fly at 161 mph for six to seven hours. With a fuel capacity of 6,460 lb, the helicopter is designed to fly a crew of four up to 300 mi offshore, hoist up to six additional people on board while remaining on-scene for up to 45 minutes and return to base while maintaining an adequate fuel reserve.

FMI: www.uscg.mil