Coast Guard airlifts injured merchant seaman
Associated Press
The Coast Guard Thursday went to the aid of an injured merchant seaman aboard a vessel about 100 miles west of Lïhuçe.
Officials learned Wednesday that a 34-year-old man sustained an eye injury while cutting metal pipe aboard the vehicle transport vessel Ryujin.
An HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Barbers Point Air Station was sent Thursday to establish the ship’s position and to communicate with its crew.
Next, the Coast Guard launched an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter. It flew to the ship, hoisted the injured man aboard and took him to Lïhuçe Airport. He was driven to Wilcox Memorial Hospital for medical treatment.