Archive image: A Coast Guard MH-65E Dolphin helicopter approaches the waterfront to begin a search and rescue (SAR) demonstration during the Port Angeles Maritime Festival, June 7, 2025.
The festival is held annually along the downtown waterfront to highlight the city’s maritime traditions and Coast Guard legacy dating back to 1862.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Annika Hirschler.
SEATTLE — A U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Air Station Port Angeles MH-65E Dolphin helicopter aircrew and a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CH-149 Cormorant helicopter aircrew sucessfully coordinatec two separate medevac of two passengers from the cruise ship Ruby Princess approximately 145 nautical miles of Cape Flattery, Washington. Sunday August 24, 2025.
Sunday morning, Coast Guard Northwest District watchstanders received notification from the cruise ship Ruby Princess that two patients onboard required immediate medical evacuations. One was a 52-year-old female passenger who had suffered sudden cardiac arrest and was on life support. The other was 99-year-old male passenger suffering from complete esophageal obstruction.
The operation involved simultaneous rescue efforts coordinated between Canadian and U.S. assets, including a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft from RCAF 19 Wing Comox, and a MH-65E Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles. The CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft provided aerial oversight and coordination throughout the entire mission.
A MH-65E Dolphin SRR Helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles was launched to medevac the 99-year-old. The rescue aircrew successfully hoisted the patient from the cruise ship and conducted a wing-to-wing transfer with Life Flight Network at Neah Bay, Washington.
Coast Guard watchstanders coordinated with the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Coast Guard to complete two separate patient hoists after receiving reports of passengers in critical condition, including a 52-year-old woman suffering cardiac arrest.
The coordinated response highlights the lifesaving partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Coast Guard, and Life Flight Network.
U.S. Coast Guard video.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles.
U.S. Coast Guard Northwest District.
U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area.
Royal Canadian Air Force.
Canadian Coast Guard.
Life Flight Network.
Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Victoria launched a Rescue Sauvetage CH-149 Cormorant from RCAF 19 Wing Comox to conduct a medical evacuation of the 52-year-old female. RCAF 909 successfully hoisted the patient and transported her to Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC.
“This case demonstrates how our specialized expertise and dedicated training allows us to rapidly respond to these types of time-sensitive medical evacuations at sea,“ said Cmdr. Kelly Higgins, commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles. “The expert coordination between the Canadian Coast Guard, the Life Flight Network, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard ensured this patient received the care they needed.”
–USCG–
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Archive image: A Canadian Coast Guard CH-149 Cormorant helicopter aircrew participates in a search and rescue (SAR) training demonstration near St. John’s in Newfoundland, Canada, May 25, 2022.
The Canadian Coast Guard is a special operating agency within Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Magee.
