The United States Coast Guard successfully conducted a medical evacuation last week of a 72-year-old man who suffered “multiple strokes” while on a cruise ship near Hawaii.
In a Friday press release, the Coast Guard announced that it had conducted a medical evacuation on Thursday of a cruise ship passenger who suffered “multiple strokes” while the cruise ship was 300 miles off the shore of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
According to the press release, watchstanders at Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu were notified at 2:48 p.m. on Wednesday from the crew of the Koningsdam, a Holland America Line cruise ship, that a 72-year-old man had suffered “multiple stroke episodes” as the boat was off the shore of Hawaii. The press release noted that after consulting with the duty flight surgeon, it was recommended that the Coast Guard perform a medical evacuation of the passenger within 20 hours.
Coast Guard officials said that an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew were sent from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and met up with the cruise ship at 9 a.m. on Thursday approximately 57 miles from Honolulu.
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According to Friday’s press release, the 72-year-old passenger was “hoisted” from the cruise ship and transported to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, where he was reportedly listed in stable condition.
A video from Thursday’s medical evacuation shows a Coast Guard helicopter hovering above the Holland America Line’s cruise ship prior to the helicopter crew lowering a basket and hoisting the 72-year-old man up to the helicopter. Later in the video, the helicopter can be seen arriving at Queen’s Medical Center.
Addressing the Coast Guard’s ability to perform medical evacuations in the region, Cmdr. John Stockton, HC-130 Hercules aircraft commander, Air Station Barbers Point, said, “By combining the skills of our crews and the specialized capabilities of our aircraft, we are able to respond to emergencies across the vast Pacific region. Teamwork is critically important for medevacs, which are among the most time-sensitive and high-stakes missions we take on.”
In a statement to Fox News following Thursday’s medical evacuation, Holland America Line said, “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Coast Guard and Joint Rescue Operation Center in Honolulu as well our medical team on Koningsdam for the successful medical evacuation of a guest off Hawaii this week.”
