U.S. Coast Guard rescue crews medevaced an injured fisherman from the F/V Baranof, 300 miles northwest of St. Paul Island, on Monday, June 1, and delivered him to St Paul for further transport to medical services in Anchorage.
The effort included two Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak C-130J Hercules aircraft and two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews, who coordinate efforts to complete the long-range rescue.
The Coast Guard received a call at about 1 a.m. June 1 requesting a medevac for the 31-year-old fisherman aboard the 196-foot fishing vessel. Shortly before 6 p.m. an MH-60 Jayhawk crew hoisted the man onboard their helicopter to transport him to St. Paul.
Collectively the Coast Guard crews flew for over 30 hours, covering some 1,900 miles and three wing-to-wing refuels on the ground to successfully complete their mission.
“The success of the aircrew that completed the hoist was made possible by the multiple aircrews that ferried aircraft provided coverage, coordinated refueling efforts and ramp space and maintained communications between crews flying on the case and Air Station Kodiak personnel,” said Lt. Steve Podmore, an Air Station Kodiak helicopter pilot on the case.
