Injured Crewman Medevaced 1,400 Miles

[clausont]

Many of you are probably aware of the situation with s/v Windchild. On the 1st of April, a crew member was seriously injured about 1,400 miles off shore.
Through the combined effort of the Coast Guard, ANG, Maritime Mobile Service and AMVER, the crew member was successfully Medevaced to a hospital in La Jolla, CA where he is doing much better.
WindChild was not damaged and the four remaining crew members are continuing the crossing.
The Coast Guard and Air National Guard working together dropped four Pararescuemen from the 129th Rescue Wing California Air National Guard along with survival and medical equipment along with an inflatable boat from a C-130 to make contact with the WindChild.
Here are a couple of links to better information on the situation:
Further update Michael | Rudy's Pacific Odyssey
Coast Guard, Air National Guard working together in long-range medevac
I believe this is the Cap-Palmerston used in the rescue:
http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/...CAP+PALMERSTON

[s/v Beth]

Holy Mackerel! I hate to see his ambulance bill!

[rebel heart]

Thank goodness they're okay. That medical evacuation insurance option seems mighty tempting when you read stuff like this, or at least double checking your policy.

[SoonerSailor]

One thing interesting about this is that Satellite Telephone service was reportedly unavailable, and help was obtained and coordinated via SSB on the amateur frequency of 14.300 mHz.

Good to have both satellite and HF modes available on a long crossing like this.

[Stillraining]

Way cool!

Looked like the drop was at night as well.

[unbusted67]

Ugh so scary.