CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard air and boat crews responded to a fishing boat with an internal water leak and medevaced the captain due to carbon monoxide poisoning 6 miles off Port Aransas inlet, Sunday night.
The captain of the 89-foot fishing boat, Redemption, called Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders at approximately 10:50 p.m., stating that they were taking on water from a damaged onboard potable water tank.
Watchstanders launched a Station Port Aransas 45-foot response boat crew, an Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and diverted an Air Station Corpus Christi HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew to assist. Once on scene, the Ocean Sentry dropped a dewatering pump to the fishing boat.
While dewatering, the boat's captain began showing symptoms carbon monoxide poisoning. Due to safety concerns, The response boat crew transferred him off the Redemption and he was then hoisted to the helicopter and taken to Spohn Shoreline Hospital in stable condition.
“This was a phenomenal team effort by all involved,” stated Capt. Tony Hahn, the Corpus Christi sector commander. "Our crews train extremely hard to handle these complex and dangerous missions. Their commitment to proficiency, professionalism and serving others is remarkable.”
The fishing boat was taken into side tow with the response boat and taken to Martin Midstream Loadrack.
All other persons aboard were able to disembark safely at the pier.