An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Press Release | June 29, 2023

A Coast Guard aircrew responds to a mayday call off the coast of San Diego

PADET San Diego

San Diego  –  

A Coast Guard helicopter aircrew medically evacuated a 49-year-old man from the sailing vessel Sam approximately 118 miles west of San Clemente Island, Wednesday. 

Coast Guard Sector San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center watchstanders received a mayday distress call, at approximately 9:50 a.m. The mayday message stated Sam’s position, the nature of distress and then they lost communications.

Watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard Sector San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and communication was regained via satellite-phone. Crewmembers aboard the Sam stated a member sustained a severe cut and needed immediate medical treatment. 

Once on the scene, the helicopter crew lowered the rescue swimmer, recovered the patient and transported him to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. 

The patient was reported to be in stable condition.

medevac San Diego hoist Save

The U.S. Department of Defense is committed to making its electronic and information technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended in 1998. DoD websites use the WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility standard.

For persons with disabilities experiencing difficulties accessing content on a particular website, please use the form DoD Section 508 Form.  In this form, please indicate the nature of your accessibility issue/problem and your contact information so we can address your issue or question. If your issue involves log in access, password recovery, or other technical issues, contact the administrator for the website in question, or your local helpdesk.