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CLEARWATER, Fla.—The Coast Guard medevacked a 51-year-old man Thursday from a commercial fishing boat 94 miles west of John's Pass.
Rescued was Randall Lauser from Largo.
At 10:40 a.m. watch standers from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a call via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 from a crew member aboard the commercial fishing boat Swordfish. Lauser, the captain of the boat, suffered a hand injury and was in need of emergency medical assistance.
A flight surgeon was notified and recommended Lauser be medevacked.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater launched, arrived on scene, hoisted Lauser and transported him to Tampa General Hospital in stable condition.
"We hope Mr. Lauser has a safe and speedy recovery and that he's back to fishing in no time," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Byron Cross, the Air Station Clearwater rescue swimmer who rescued Lauser.