Crew member, 55, medevaced from cargo ship off Hawaii island

The U.S. Coast Guard on Wednesday medevaced a sick crew member from a cargo ship offshore of Hawaii island.

Honolulu watchstanders from the Joint Rescue Coordination Center at 7:50 a.m. Tuesday received a request for the medevac for a crew member aboard the Ocean Gladiator, a 545-foot, U.S.-flagged cargo ship. The 55-year-old man was experiencing a medical condition. The ship was about 540 miles southeast of Hawaii island.

The duty flight surgeon recommended a medevac, and the USCG deployed an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point to meet the ship when it was about 86 miles offshore of Hawaii island.

At 8:35 a.m. Wednesday, the crew hoisted the man from the ship and flew him back to land at Hilo International Airport for transport to further medical care.