ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Coast Guard medevaced a fisherman Sunday off South Jersey.
The 63-year-old man fell ill and was in need of medical attention while aboard a scallop boat 60 miles southeast of Atlantic City.
A crewmember from the 90-foot fishing vessel Linda, homeported in New Bedford, Mass., called watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia at approximately 3:30 p.m. to request assistance.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City arrived on scene and hoisted the man at approximately 4:50 p.m.
The helicopter crew transferred the man at approximately 5:50 p.m. to EMS personnel at the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Campus in Galloway.
During the transit back to Atlantic City in deteriorating weather conditions, the helicopter crew used instrument approach procedures to safely return, emerging from the clouds at the minimum required altitude.
"This is why we train in all weather conditions,” said Lt. j.g. Alex Webber, one of the pilots on the case. “We need to be prepared to go out when it counts in order to save lives."
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