Members of an MH-65E Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point carry an ailing fishing vessel captain on the landing pad at Hilo Medical Center in Hilo, Hawaii, May 9, 2025.
The aircrew hoisted the man from the fishing vessel Sea Angel 80 nautical miles offshore Hilo, Hawaii.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point photo.
HONOLULU – A Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point MH-65E Dolphin aircrew medevac a fisherman (the captain) of the commercial fishing vessel Sea Angel 80 nautical miles offshore Hilo, Hawaii. Friday, May 9, 2025.
Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Honolulu watchstanders received a phone call at 6:50 a.m. Tuesday from the captain of the 78-foot fishing vessel Sea Angel, which was approximately 675 nautical miles northeast of Hilo. The captain, a 68-year-old man, had reportedly been experiencing severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain and fever, for the past 10 days.
After conferring with the duty flight surgeon, watchstanders established a regular communication schedule with the vessel’s crew and directed them to transit toward Hawaii. Coast Guard 14th District and Coast Guard Sector Honolulu personnel procured antibiotics, which an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers successfully dropped to the Sea Angel at 1:07 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
At 10:27 a.m. Friday, an MH-65E Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew from Air Station Barbers Point arrived on scene with the Sea Angel, deployed the rescue swimmer, hoisted the patient and transported him to Hilo Medical Center. He was reportedly in stable condition.
The aircrew airdropped antibiotics to a 68-year-old man who had reportedly been experiencing severe abdominal pain 675 miles offshore Hawaii.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Avery Tibbets.
Additionally, an HC-130J Hercules aircrew provided communication and translation support during the hoist.
“Communication and coordination are essential when it comes to search and rescue, especially complex, offshore cases,” said Cmdr. Andrew Williams, search and rescue (SAR) mission coordinator, JRCC Honolulu. “It was through the training and readiness of each crew, the ability of our personnel to translate Vietnamese, and the long-range capabilities of our aircraft that we were able to successfully deliver the patient to the care he needed.”
–USCG–
For more Hlcopters Magazine breaking news, stories, images and videos visit hlcopters.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
