The Coast Guard medevaced a 63-year-old man experiencing severe abdominal pain from the cruise ship Grand Princess off Los Angeles, Sunday afternoon.
The patient was hoisted aboard the helicopter and was transferred to awaiting emergency medical personnel at Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Torrance, California.
Watchstanders from the Coast Guard District Eleven Command Center received the medevac request at approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday. The cruise ship was put on a communications schedule until they were within range for an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Ventura to conduct a hoist.
The Jayhawk aircrew conducted the hoist at approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday, with an Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan aircrew providing overflight support.
This also marks the first rescue conducted by the newly established Coast Guard Air Station Ventura. The crew consisted of Lt. Rob Turley, Lt. Miguel Cortez, Petty Officer 2nd Class Curren Hinote, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Sam Monahan.