Archive image: An aviation survival technician aboard a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay in McKinleyville, Calif., prepares to rescue training.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Brandyn Hill
HUMBOLDT BAY, California. — A Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay MH-65E Dolphin aircrew conducted the medevac of an ailing man, cruise ship passenger, 45 nautical miles southwest of Shelter Cove. Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay MH-65E Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew safely hoisted a 45-year-old man and transported him to St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka.
The man was reported to be in unstable condition.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay received a notification at 8:47 a.m. Saturday from a crew member aboard the cruise ship Queen Elizabeth requesting a medevac (medical evacuation) for a passenger experiencing a serious medical condition.
After conferring with a duty flight surgeon, who recommended the medevac, Coast Guard watchstanders launched the Air Station Humboldt Bay MH-65E Dolphin SRR Helicopter aircrew and maintained regular communication with the vessel’s crew to monitor the patient’s status until the Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin aircrew arrived at the cruise ship position.
Once on the scene, the MH-65E Dolphin aircrew deployed the rescue swimmer, safely hoisted the patient and headed to land to tranfer him to emergency medical services (EMS).
–USCG–
The MH-65E Dolphin aircrew hoisted and transported the man to St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, California.
U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Trinity Whalen.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay.
U.S. Coast Guard Southwest District.
U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area.
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