A Coast Guard helicopter crew medevaced a 28-year-old man who was injured aboard an oil tanker off the coast of San Francisco, Tuesday, May 7. The seafarer suffered a neck injury and was immediately transported in Palo Alto.
Specifically, at 0220 pm (local time) some Coast Guard watchstanders were alarmed that an injured man from the crew of the Liberia-flagged ‘High Progress’, had reportedly fell and suffered a neck injury.
Because of aircraft limitations, a USCG Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew could not immediately be dispatched to recover the injured man.
Watchstanders monitored the man’s condition while the oil tanker continued its course towards San Francisco.
At 0402 am the Dolphin helicopter crew arrived on the area of the incident, 65 miles off the coast of San Francisco and hoisted the seafarer.
The 28-year-old was stable and was then transmitted to Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto.
The 51,300 dwt High Progress is owned by Italy-based d’Amico International Shipping.
Concluding, Lt. Andrew Bacon, Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 helicopter pilot commented
The quick reaction of the crew aboard High Progress to recognizing the severity of the injury was key in making this rescue successful. Their professionalism helped us quickly get him off the ship.
