U.S. Coasties help remove ailing crewman from vessel in Lake Superior

NEWS RELEASE

U.S. COAST GUARD

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The Coast Guard conducted a medical evacuation of a 45-year-old man from a 728-foot vessel in Lake Superior, one and a half miles offshore of Marquette, MI, Tuesday afternoon.

The man's name and hometown are not being released, and there is no Coast Guard imagery available.

A search-and-rescue coordinator from Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, MI, received notification at 5:30 a.m. from the crew of the vessel Joseph L. Block who stated that one of the crew members was suffering from tightness in his chest and was having difficulty breathing.

After conferring with a flight surgeon, it was determined that the man should be evacuated for further treatment.

Because the vessel was located 30 miles east of Harbor, MI, the motor vessel's crew was instructed to divert to Marquette.

When the vessel arrived closer to shore, a rescue boat crew launched aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Marquette.

The rescue boat crew arrived on scene at about 2:25 p.m., transferred the man onto the RB-M, and transported him to the small boat station where emergency medical services were waiting.

The man was transferred in stable condition.

"We're glad that the crew of the vessel took the necessary precautions for the safety of their shipmate," said Chief Petty Officer Matthew Henry, a command duty officer at Sector Sault Ste. Marie, "and that we were able to help bring him ashore for further medical treatment."

Editor's note: A previous version of this news release was sent out by the U.S. Coast Guard under the headline 'Coast Guard airlifts ailing crewman from motor vessel in Lake Superior.' However, the Coast Guard subsequently advised that no aviation asset was used. 

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