BOSTON — The Coast Guard medevaced an ailing woman from a cruise ship Friday approximately 40 miles east of Cape Ann. A crewmember from the cruise ship Norwegian Gem contacted watchstanders at the 1st Coast Guard District Command Center in Boston at approximately 9:20 p.m., requesting a medevac for a 70-year-old female passenger suffering from heart attack symptoms.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod launched at approximately 9:35 p.m.
The helicopter crew arrived on scene at approximately 11:20 p.m., hoisted the woman and a ship's nurse into the helicopter, and took them to Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Having the ship's medical professional aboard was a great asset," said Patrick Petrarca, command duty officer at the 1st Coast Guard District Command Center. "Our ability to work as a team is a key factor to a successful rescue."