SITKA, Alaska - A 72-year old female complaining of appendix pains aboard the M/V Noordam was medevaced by an HH-65 Jayhawk and crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka early Tuesday morning. The Jayhawk flew 35 nautical miles north of Sitka to Chatham Strait and conducted hoist operations with the cruise ship. Excellent coordination with both Noordam and Coast Guard crews resulted in flawless evacuation of the patient. Coast Guard Petty Officer Shawn Legas, a rescue swimmer, was lowered to the Noordam by Petty Officer Christian Salinas, the Jayhawk's flight mechanic, to assess the patient's condition and prepare her for hoisting. The patient was safely transferred to waiting Sitka EMS. (Official U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Jedidiah Johnson)
Click here to download full-size image