Dramatic Coast Guard Rescue on Luxury Cruise Ship Near LA Coast

Coast Guard Search and Rescue helicopter

A 63-year-old man was dramatically rescued from a cruise ship 170 miles off the California coast in a complex operation that showcased the U.S. Coast Guard’s expertise and marked a significant milestone for a new air station.

At a Glance

  • Coast Guard medevaced a 63-year-old man from the Grand Princess cruise ship due to severe abdominal pain
  • The rescue occurred approximately 170 miles off the coast of Los Angeles
  • The operation took over 36 hours from initial call to rescue completion
  • This was the first rescue for the newly established Coast Guard Air Station Ventura
  • A Coast Guard C-27 Spartan aircrew provided critical overflight support during the operation

Distress Call and Initial Response

The U.S. Coast Guard District Eleven Command Center received a medevac request at approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday. The Grand Princess cruise ship, carrying a 63-year-old male passenger suffering from severe abdominal pain, was initially over 1,000 miles off the coast of San Diego, far beyond the range of Coast Guard helicopters.

Demonstrating their commitment to maritime safety, the Coast Guard established a communication schedule with the ship, maintaining contact every four hours as the vessel made its way closer to the California coast. This sustained communication was crucial in monitoring the patient’s condition and coordinating the rescue effort.

Precision Rescue Operation

As the Grand Princess approached within range, the Coast Guard launched its rescue operation. At approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday, more than 36 hours after the initial distress call, a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from the newly established Air Station Ventura conducted the medevac.

U.S. Coast Guard Press Release stated that, “A passenger on a cruise ship nearly 170 miles off the coast of Los Angeles was medevaced from the vessel on Sunday after experiencing severe abdominal pain, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.”

The rescue crew, consisting of Lt. Rob Turley, Lt. Miguel Cortez, Petty Officer 2nd Class Curren Hinote, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Sam Monahan, executed the airlifting operation with precision. A Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan aircraft crew provided crucial overflight support, ensuring the safety and success of the mission.

A Milestone for Air Station Ventura

According to KVTA News, “the Coast Guard says this was the first rescue conducted by the newly established Coast Guard Air Station Ventura.”

This rescue operation marked a significant milestone as the first for the newly established Coast Guard Air Station Ventura. Located on Naval Base Ventura County in Point Mugu, north of Los Angeles, this state-of-the-art facility supports maritime air operations from Orange County to San Luis Obispo County.

The $70 million facility boasts a 43,000-square-foot hangar and a 12,000-square-foot administration building. It houses three MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters and approximately 100 personnel, positioning it as a critical asset for maritime safety along the California coast.

Successful Conclusion

Following the rescue, the patient was transferred to Torrance Memorial Medical Center for further medical attention. Reports indicate that upon return to shore, the man was able to walk with assistance to an ambulance, a positive sign after his ordeal at sea.

This successful operation not only saved a life but also demonstrated the Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to maritime safety and the operational readiness of its newest air station. As cruise ships continue to ply the waters off the California coast, the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard stand ready to respond to any emergency, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew alike.

Sources:

  1. https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3934649/coast-guard-air-station-ventura-conducts-first-rescue-medevacs-man-offshore-los/
  2. https://www.foxnews.com/us/coast-guard-hoists-ill-man-from-cruise-ship-nearly-170-miles-from-california-coast
  3. https://ktla.com/news/local-news/cruise-ship-passenger-rescued-off-the-coast-of-los-angeles/
  4. https://www.kvta.com/news/coast-guard-copter-from-ventura-county-conducts-cruise-ship-rescue-and-more-stories/
  5. https://www.cruisehive.com/new-coast-guard-station-conducts-essential-cruise-ship-evacuation/147644
  6. https://www.yahoo.com/news/grand-princess-cruise-ship-passenger-222702359.html
  7. https://patch.com/california/los-angeles/coast-guard-rescues-passenger-cruise-ship-la-county-coast
  8. https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/coast-guard-completes-first-rescue-at-new-ventura-station-46227
  9. https://www.cruisemapper.com/news/13938-passenger-medevaced-grand-princess
  10. https://news.yahoo.com/cruise-ship-passenger-rescued-off-213205706.html