U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 129th Rescue Wing load equipment and supplies onto an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft at Moffett Air National Guard Base, California in preparation for a rescue mission, July 8, 2023.
U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Duane Ramos.
ALAMEDA, California — The Coast Guard coordinated efforts to medevac an injured mariner from Costa Rica. Air National Guard Pararescuemen from 129th Rescue Wing and the Costa Rican Coast Guard performed the medical evacuation approximately 1200 nautical miles west of Costa Rica. Tuesday evening.
At approximately 9:10 a.m., Friday, watchstanders at the Coast Guard 11th District Command Center received a report from members of the Costa Rican Coast Guard that a mariner had suffered a head injury while working aboard the fishing vessel Victoria G.
Watchstanders sent Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) notifications to request the assistance of any available nearby ships. When no vessels within 288 nautical miles were able to respond, the watchstanders requested assistance from the 129th Rescue Wing based at Moffett Air National Guard Base, California, which launched an HC-130J fixed wing aircraft.
The ANG aircraft arrived and deployed four pararescuemen, who conducted a nighttime parachute jump into the Eastern Pacific to safely board the vessel and stabilize the injured mariner. The Royal Midori, a ship responding to the AMVER notification, began to sail towards the injured mariner’s vessel to provide any further assistance needed.
The pararescuemen parachuted with medical supplies and equipment from the aircraft to reach the vessel and provide medical assistance to the patient.
U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Duane Ramos.
The pararescuemen team and the injured mariner were transferred to the Royal Midori, which transported the injured mariner to a Costa Rican Hospital.
The injured mariner was last listed in stable condition.
–USCG–
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