Video: Injured Man Flown in By Coast Guard
[Updated] The US Coast Guard transported a crew member needing medical treatment from a cargo ship about 68 nautical miles off Bermuda this morning [Dec 16].
On Tuesday [Dec 14] evening, the Turkish registered general cargo ship M/V Askabat was 350 nautical miles north east of Bermuda and reported having a 31 year old crew member that had received injuries to the hand and arm that required hospitalization.
The ship was on its way from Norfolk, Virginia to Waterford, Ireland and diverted to Bermuda while a Coast Guard helicopter and C130 fixed wing aircraft left Elizabeth City, North Carolina made their way to the Bermuda area to await the ship.
At approximately 8:05am today the Coast Guard was able to winch the injured crew member of the M/V Askabat as it was 68 nautical miles off Bermuda. The injured crew member was brought by helicopter to L.F. Wade International Airport to an awaiting ambulance where he was transported to King Edward Memorial Hospital and is now receiving treatment to his injuries.
Update 5pm: Statement from the US Coast Guard:
The Coast Guard medavaced an injured crewmember off the Turkish flagged merchant vessel Askabat approximately 400 miles northeast of Bermuda, Thursday morning.
The 31-year-old male chief officer of the vessel broke his arm and was bleeding heavily from an open wound, according to the notification from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre Bermuda at 5:35 p.m. Tuesday.
Coast Guard HC-130J Hercules and a MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crews from Air Station Elizabeth City were launched Wednesday morning to assist in the recovery of the injured man. Due to the distance involved, both assets landed in Bermuda to refuel.
Hazardous weather conditions of 40-50 mph winds and 12-15 foot seas kept the aircraft grounded throughout the night, and the medevac was postponed until the following morning.
At approximately 5:40 a.m. Thursday, the helicopter crew hoisted the chief officer from the vessel and flew the injured man to waiting Emergency Medical Service personnel in Bermuda for treatment.
“What went really well was the excellent coordination between Bermuda RCC Rescue Co-ordination Center, Coast Guard District Five, Coast Guard Atlantic Area and Air Station Elizabeth City personnel to effect the rescue despite changing, challenging weather conditions and changes to the timeline of the rescue itself,” said Lt. Greg Dahl, a MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter pilot from Air Station Elizabeth City. “Coast Guard personnel and the personnel at the airport assisted with a couple maintenance issues we had … The coordination between all the people involved made it successful. Everyone worked very well together.
Update Dec 17, 6am: Photos, courtesy of the US Coast Guard:
Graham Outerbridge is right. We should have a US SAR station here. The response time would have been shorter in this case as the boat was only 68miles off BDA but the Coast Guard had to fly a SAR hilocopter and C130 from North Carolina…..you do the math.
Actually, when the call was first made “M/V Askabat was 350 nautical miles north east off Bermuda”
bermuda would not have a US coast guard SAR station because its part of the US military. their job is self explanatory they guard the coast of the US. 350 miles east of bermuda is not their responsibility more of them lending a helping hand. each coast guard station in the US covers several states so the US coast guard would not be an option. Bermuda if wanted to would have to take the steps of many other places and branch out an aerial SAR unit of the regiment but like most of you said it would cost alot of money
Graeme and I have agreed on this for sometime. I have done the math.
It costs millions to run an operation like this. Without outside support and funding and International aggreements it will never happen. Bermuda cannot afford nor support this type of operation e.g. our local ecconomy and budget is sinking faster than a snowball in hell.
Good on paper and worthwhile but ain’t gonna happen for a long time. It’s not in Bermudas interest to afford this type of service at this time. Were just a stepping stone in Trans Atlantic venture.
It’s needed but who’s gonna feed it.
Hmmm. Speaking as an ex helicopter pilot, looking at the video of the helicopter approach, it looked like something happened to make the helicopter do that slight climb after almost touching down.
Could have been an unexpected gust of wind also.
I can also take you back 20 yrs or more on the topic of Bermuda having its own helicopter Search and Rescue operation (when we had the money to run it)
Well, that ship should have made a ‘U’ turn back to the US but money is money. Damn thing would have had to be clocking like 28-29 knots to be 60 odd miles from BDA. Of course I doubt that but just thought I’d throw that in.
So she sailed 350 miles off course (southered) when she could have reversed course and been closer to mainland…..and your wonder why these actions cost money and risk.
A great day too all.
JMO, but much cheaper to fly the helicopter & Herc aircraft out here on an ‘as needed’ basis than to base them here with all the necessary ground support, all paying Bermuda prices to live here. Besides, those two aircraft are much needed doing coastal SAR up & down the SE coast. They are out taking care of incidents that never make the news outside of the SC, NC, VA area that they normally cover.
Agree with Arthur. Bermuda’s notories ‘cross winds’.
My idea is dependent on International funding for a wave jumping school for Coast Guard rescue. Facility would have barracks on base in South side. Rescue times would be considerably shorter into the NE Atlantic and we would have contingency coverage for other rescues. We should start doing a plan through the relevant Ministries here and over seas to see if there is interest and funding possibilities^^