A Coast Guard helicopter crew medevaced a 44-year-old man from the fishing vessel Golden Alaska approximately 60 miles northeast of Cold Bay, Tuesday.

The weather at the time of the evacuation was 15-knot winds, 1 to 3-foot seas and 10 miles visibility. 

After hoisting the man up, The Jayhawk helicopter crew safely transported him to Cold Bay for further transport by commercial services to Anchorage.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard 17th District command center received a medevac request from Health Force Partners for a man suffering from stroke symptoms Tuesday afternoon. Watchstanders notified the Coast Guard duty flight surgeon who recommended the medevac.

“The ability to have a helicopter and crew awaiting situations like this in Cold Bay during the frigid winter months is crucial,” said Bud Holden, a command center watchstander. “The safety of mariners at sea is a top priority, and the hours saved in flight time could make all the difference in lives being saved in the harsh winter weather conditions of Alaska.”

On scene weather at the time of the medevac was 15-knot winds, 1 to 3-foot seas and 10 miles visibility. 

The Coast Guard also staged a rescue in King Cove on Tuesday, after a 58-year-old man fell off a ladder and injured his spine.

King Cove officials say poor weather wouldn’t allow other aircraft to land, so they requested a Coast Guard helicopter to medevac the man to Cold Bay.  He was later sent to Anchorage for further care.

The two incidents combined mark a total of seven medevacs for the winter fishing season.  

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