KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard medevaced a 23-year-old man with an injured hand from the 120-foot fishing vessel Trailblazer approximately 75 miles north of Cold Bay, Thursday.
A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew forward deployed in Cold Bay safely hoisted the man and transported him to Anna Livingston Memorial Clinic in Cold Bay for further medical assistance.
Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received the call for assistance from the operator of the Trailblazer that a deckhand had crushed his hand in a crab pot launcher and needed immediate medical attention. The duty flight surgeon conferred with contacts at the clinic and recommended a medevac. The watchstanders then dispatched the Jayhawk helicopter crew to the scene.
“Having assets in forward operating locations like Cold Bay during the busy fishing seasons is beneficial to mariners in times of distress,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Francell Abbott, watchstander, Coast Guard 17th District.
Weather on scene was reported as 17-mph winds, 10 miles visibility and a temperature of 37 degrees.