Mariner, 62, rescued from fishing boat north of Maui

Man medevaced to Maui Memorial in stable condition

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew plucked a 62-year-old mariner off of a fishing vessel Wednesday 82 miles north of Kahului, officials reported Thursday.

The man was medevaced to Maui Memorial Medical Center where he was reported in stable condition.

“Our trained crews and hoist-capable aircraft are vital to ensuring mariners reach a higher level of medical care quickly,” said Lt. j.g. Celesta Brosowsky, a command duty officer with Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Our aircrews worked effectively with the fishermen to conduct the hoist and delivered their captain in stable condition to awaiting emergency medical services.”

Coast Guard officials received a call at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday about a boat captain with a medical emergency, officials said. A doctor was consulted, and it was determined the man had stroke symptoms and needed immediate medical care.

An Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew flew out to the 82-foot Pacific Star to pick up the man and bring him to Maui. An HC-130 Hercules crew accompanied the rescue helicopter to provide communications, officials said.

The weather reported at the time of the rescue was 16 mph winds and 8-foot seas.

The crew of a Green Peace vessel, the Arctic Sunrise, was 35 miles away from the fishing vessel and diverted to render assistance because a paramedic was aboard.