JUNEAU, Alaska— A Coast Guard Station Juneau boatcrew medevaced a 70-year-old passenger experiencing symptoms of a heart attack aboard the cruise ship Noordam in Lynn Canal near Juneau, Friday morning.
The station’s 45-foot Response Boat –Medium crew transported the passenger from the Noordam to awaiting emergency medical services in Auke Bay.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center received a report from the captain of the cruise ship Noordam of the ailing passenger. The duty flight surgeon recommended medevac via response boat. Watchstanders directed the launch of the station’s RB-M.
“Increased cruise ship traffic raises the potential for emergency responses during the summer months," said Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Gauthier, a Sector Juneau watchstander. “Coast Guard crews train throughout the year in preperation for calls that can come in day or night, and our crew from Juneau demonstrated excellent teamwork in their response to this case.”
The weather at the time of the medevac was reported as light, variable winds with calm seas.