SEATTLE — The Coast Guard medevaced an injured fisherman south of San Juan Island, Thursday morning.
The fisherman was transported to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles in stable condition.
A watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received a radio call via VHF-FM channel 16 at about 7:40 a.m., from the captain of the fishing vessel Mr. Wonderful reporting the injury. The fisherman, a 34-year-old male, was injured when a line parted and snapped back and hit him in the upper body.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Wahoo was underway in the vicinity of the incident and immediately responded to assist and arrived on scene at 8:12 a.m. An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter was launched to perform the medevac. A Lummi Island patrol boat also launched and provided the hoisting platform for the helicopter crew.
"The quick response provided by the crew of the Wahoo, Lummi Island Patrol and Air Station Port Angeles provided professional medical care to a mariner in need in a short period of time," said Jeff Gearhart, operations unit controller, Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound . "Our crews are well trained in the maritime environment no matter the circumstances."
Weather on scene was reported to be calm seas with a water temperature of 55 degrees, air temperature of 55 degrees and 10-mile visibility.