SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew conducted a medevac for a snorkeler from the motor vessel Sea Hunter in Atlantic Ocean waters, approximately 70 nautical miles north of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Wednesday.
The snorkeler was a 70-year-old man, U.S. citizen, who experienced a near drowning event while snorkeling off the motor vessel Sea Hunter.
The M/V Sea Hunter crew notified Coast Guard Sector San Juan watchstanders that one of their passengers was recovered unresponsive and not breathing from the water. The vessel Sea Hunter crew reported that the man regained consciousness following the use of an Automated External Defibrillator, and that he required a higher level of care ashore.
Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew to rendezvous with the vessel Sea Hunter and simultaneously made arrangements for emergency medical service personnel to receive the patient ashore. Once on scene, the Coast Guard aircrew deployed their rescue swimmer, who embarked the vessel and used a rescue basket to hoist both the patient and his spouse aboard the aircraft.
The Coast Guard aircrew transported the patient to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where awaiting local EMS personnel received and transported him to the local “Centro Medico” Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“This mission presented a significant challenge, as time was of the essence and required meticulous planning of fuel, communications, and extensive coordination between Sector San Juan and the Sea Hunter crew,” said Lt. William Boardman, Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk aircraft commander for the case. “Our team worked efficiently on scene to ensure a safe return to Puerto Rico. The patient was successfully transferred to Emergency Medical Service personnel and transported to a higher level of care. A huge thank you to everyone involved.”
Make a difference on land, at sea or in the air with the Coast Guard. Visit www.gocoastguard.com to find out how to be part of a team.
For breaking news, follow us on X (formerly Twitter). For additional information, find us on Facebook and Instagram.