Thursday, March 28, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard medevacs three sick Canadian sailors miles south of Cape Fear

Crews with the U.S. Coast Guard medevaced two Cannadian Sailors from a ship 200 miles south of the Cape Fear River. (photo from Coast Guard video)
Crews with the U.S. Coast Guard medevaced two Canadian Sailors from a ship 200 miles south of the Cape Fear River. (Photo from US Coast Guard video)

WILMINGTON — Crews with the Coast Guard medevaced three Canadian sailors Friday from a sailing vessel approximately 200 miles southeast of Cape Fear.

Watchstanders with the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina were notified at 2:50 p.m. on Thursday that three men needed to be medevaced from the 40-foot sailing vessel Juste Ciel after the vessel became beset by weather.

The French Canadian crew members fell ill and were reportedly suffering from dehydration and physical exhaustion.

The 623-foot bulk carrier Privsea, an Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER), took the sailing vessel in tow and headed northwest to shorten the distance for the medevac.

A C-130 and an MH-60 helicopter crew were launched from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City to assist. The helicopter crew flew 200 miles offshore, refueled aboard the USS Mesa Verde, and proceeded to the sailing vessel.

Click here to watch the U.S. Coast Guard’s video from the rescue

The helicopter crew hoisted the three men and transported them to Air Station Elizabeth City where they were transferred to local EMS was personnel.

“It was an extremely well executed case with multiple assets and supporting help from the Navy and the motor vessel Privsea” Lt. Sean Stadig, the pilot on the case, said. “Thankfully the sailing vessel had an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon on board, which helped locate them. Great job and thank you to all involved.”

An AMVER is a worldwide voluntary reporting system sponsored by the Coast Guard. It is a computer-based global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea.

For other news from the U.S. Coast Guard’s 5th District visit the website or follow the 5th District on @USCGMidAtlantic on Twitter.

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