Coast Guard hoists ship captain 58 miles south of Adak with Air Guard help

Coast Guard and Alaska Air National Guard crews rescued the ailing master of a container ship Wednesday, Oct. 1, about 58 miles south of Adak and flew him to Anchorage, the Coast Guard said. A Coast Guard helicopter crew carried out the hoist. The Air National Guard flew him on the final leg from Adak to Anchorage.

The rescue covered more than 1,000 miles. It required refueling stops in Dutch Harbor and Adak, a helicopter crew swap, and a backup helicopter staged in Cold Bay.

The crew of the One Majesty called for help about 6 am Tuesday. The 991-foot ship flies the Japanese flag. Its 58-year-old master was suffering severe abdominal pain, the Coast Guard Arctic District said. Watchstanders sent an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak.

The Coast Guard compared the distance to a trip from Tampa Bay, Florida, to New York City. To guard against crew fatigue on the long transit, the Coast Guard asked the Alaska Air National Guard for help. An HC-130J Combat King II crew from the 211th Rescue Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson flew a relief Jayhawk crew from Air Station Kodiak to Adak. Two pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron, also based at the base, rode along.

A second Jayhawk crew launched from Kodiak and staged in Cold Bay. That crew stood by in case the primary helicopter crew needed emergency help.

The relief Coast Guard crew, carrying the two pararescuemen, left Adak with the HC-130J flying overhead cover. The helicopter crew hoisted the patient from the ship and returned to Adak. From there, the Alaska Air National Guard flew him to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, where emergency medical personnel took over his care.

"I am incredibly proud of the resilience displayed by everyone involved in this long and complex rescue effort," said Jennifer Whitcomb, search and rescue mission coordinator at the Coast Guard Arctic District.