comscore Coast Guard rescues ill South Korean mariner from Palmyra Atoll | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Top News

Coast Guard rescues ill South Korean mariner from Palmyra Atoll

Honolulu Star-Advertiser logo
Unlimited access to premium stories for as low as $12.95 /mo.
Get It Now
  • COURTESY DEFENSE MEDIA ACTIVITY PACIFIC
                                A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules on Air Station Barbers Point.

    COURTESY DEFENSE MEDIA ACTIVITY PACIFIC

    A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules on Air Station Barbers Point.

The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday conducted a medevac for a 57-year-old South Korean mariner who became ill while aboard a fishing vessel.

Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Honolulu watchstanders at 4:05 p.m., Wednesday, received a report about a mariner who was suffering from abdominal pain, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The Daehan Shipping Agency told Coast Guard personnel that a man aboard fishing boat Hae Cheon had been experiencing pain in his lower abdomen since Dec. 20 and was having difficulty walking and eating.

Hae Cheon was on its way to Honolulu to transfer the mariner to medical services.

After consulting a Coast Guard duty flight surgeon, a medical evacuation operation was set in motion.

JRCC watchstanders diverted the Hae Cheon to Palmyra Atoll and deployed an Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew to conduct the medevac. The Hercules aircrew arrived on Palmyra Atoll at 7:02 p.m., Thursday, and embarked the mariner before departing for Hawaii.

After arriving on Oahu at 11:30 p.m., the man was transferred to emergency services and taken to Pali Momi Medical Center.

He is in stable condition and awaiting surgery, the Coast Guard said.

Comments (2)

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines.

Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.

Click here to see our full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. Submit your coronavirus news tip.

Be the first to know
Get web push notifications from Star-Advertiser when the next breaking story happens — it's FREE! You just need a supported web browser.
Subscribe for this feature

Scroll Up