A 30-year-old crew member aboard the cruise ship National Geographic Venture, operated by Lindblad Expeditions, was medevacked by the U.S. Coast Guard on Easter Sunday after experiencing severe medical symptoms while the ship was sailing approximately 15 miles off the coast of Coos Bay, Oregon.

The emergency happened early Sunday morning when Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received a call at 6:38 a.m. reporting that the crew member was suffering from excessive vomiting and difficulty breathing. Following an assessment with the duty flight surgeon, a medical evacuation was initiated.

MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend was immediately dispatched. By 8:00 a.m., the chopper had successfully rendezvoused with the National Geographic Venture and hoisted the patient from the vessel’s deck.

The crew member was then flown to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, where he arrived in stable condition.
“Safe and efficient medical evacuations of mariners are only possible through closely coordinated efforts from start to finish,” said Lt. Christopher Saylor, Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator for Sector Columbia River. “The expert coordination between the flight crews, vessel master, and watchstanders resulted in a successful outcome for the patient.”

Our thoughts are with the crew member, and we send our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. We salute the swift response of the Coast Guard and shipboard team who ensured the crew member received timely medical attention.