Coast Guard medevacs Ukrainian mariner from Palmyra Atoll. An Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew conducted a medevac for a 66-year-old Ukrainian mariner from Palmyra Atoll, March 25. The mariner was suffering from abdominal pain, and a Coast Guard duty flight surgeon recommended the mariner be medically evacuated. Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders diverted the Nautilus to Palmyra Atoll and deployed the Hercules aircrew to conduct the medevac. The Hawaii Disaster Medical Assistance Team provided a medical professional for in-flight medical care during the transport as the mariner was taken to Oahu for awaiting emergency medical services. He is reported to be in stable condition. Read more.
Coast Guard medevacs 70-year-old hiker after 200-foot fall. After falling 200 feet from a mountain in Sitka, Alaska, March 26, a 70-year-old hiker called for help. An Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew located the hiker and safety transported him to emergency medical services that were waiting at the air station. “Our working relationship with local partner agencies such as the Sitka Mountain Rescue team is an important component to successfully coordinating and completing rescues in Alaska,” said Lt. Jonathan Orthman, an Air Station Sitka pilot. Read more.
Coast Guard repatriates 188 people to Haiti. The Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma's crew repatriated 188 people to Haiti, March 22, following an interdiction approximately 20 miles off Cap Du Mole, Haiti. Due to the deteriorating weather, 126 men, 52 women, and 17 children voluntarily left their vessel. “We have increased our air and sea patrols across the region in close coordination with our interagency and international partners," said Rear Adm. Brendan McPherson, Coast Guard Seventh District commander. "We are also sharing information and resources to save lives and secure our maritime border. The U.S. Coast Guard will fully leverage the capabilities, people, and partnerships we have in the region to prevent the loss of life. These voyages are always dangerous and often deadly. This remains, first and foremost, a safety of life mission for us.” Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews have interdicted 2,284 Haitian migrants. Read more.
Coast Guard repatriates 44 people to Cuba. The Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore's crew repatriated 44 people, March 21, to Cuba following interdictions off Key West, Fla.. "The probability of a successful migration voyage is low," said Lt. Matthew Miller, enforcement duty officer, Seventh Coast Guard District. "When these voyages are stopped, people should expect to be returned to their country of origin." Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews have interdicted 1,053 Cubans. Read more.
Unified command established to respond to tug aground Neva Strait, Alaska. Watchstanders at the Sector Juneau command center received a radio call on March 21, from Western Mariner stating that while towing Chichagof Provider, a 286-foot containerized barge, in Neva Strait, the barge collided with the tug causing the Western Mariner to run hard aground. The collision caused a rupture to one of the tug's fuel tanks, which has a maximum capacity of 13,000 gallons of diesel fuel. No injuries have been reported and all four crew members were safely transferred from the Western Mariner to a nearby vessel. All fuel manifolds on board the tug have been secured to isolate the ruptured tank and fuel offload efforts have commenced. A sheen was observed around the tug and containment measures have been deployed to reduce the spread of oil. The cause of the incident is under investigation. Read more.