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Coast Guard, Navy coordinate medical evacuation for man on cruise ship off Maui

14 September 2017

From U.S. Coast Guard District 14

A 72-year-old man was medevaced to Maui by a crew from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37, Sept. 13.

HONOLULU - A 72-year-old man arrived safely to Maui, after being medevaced 170 miles offshore, Sept. 13.

A U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter aircrew from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37 based at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, arrived on scene at 3:55, safely hoisted the man aboard and delivered him to awaiting emergency medical services at Kahului Medical Center in Maui.

“This case illustrates the importance of our partnership with the Navy”, said Lt. Duane Zitta, command duty officer, Coast Guard Joint Response Coordination Center Honolulu. “In the remote Pacific, long-range capable search and rescue assets are vital to getting people to a higher level of medical care as quickly and safely as possible.”

JRCC personnel in Honolulu received notification at 5:18 p.m. Tuesday from the master of the cruise ship Radiance of the Seas, of a passenger aboard suffering from symptoms of abdominal distress.

Watchstanders at JRCC contacted the duty flight surgeon who recommended the man be seen by a general surgeon within 24 hours. Watchstanders at JRCC then coordinated with HSM-37 to conduct the rescue.

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