Coast Guard Evacuates Queen Elizabeth Passenger Near Shelter Cove
Queen Elizabeth’s crew requested help at eight fourteen in the morning; after a duty flight surgeon recommended evacuation, an MH-65 launched from Humboldt Bay.
The U.S. Coast Guard medically evacuated a 45-year-old passenger from Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth on Saturday after the ship reported a serious medical case about 45 miles southwest of Shelter Cove on the Northern California coast. An MH-65 Dolphin crew from Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay hoisted the man from the cruise ship and flew him to St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka in unstable condition, the Coast Guard said.
Queen Elizabeth’s crew contacted the Coast Guard at 8:14 a.m. to request medical assistance for the passenger. After consultation with a duty flight surgeon, who recommended the evacuation, the Coast Guard launched the helicopter response from Humboldt Bay.
The MH-65 Dolphin used in the response is the Coast Guard’s short-range recovery helicopter. The type is listed with a range of about 350 nautical miles and endurance of roughly three hours.
Coast Guard watchstanders remained in contact with Queen Elizabeth’s crew while the aircraft was en route and during the response, monitoring the passenger’s condition until the evacuation was finished. The transfer was completed safely, the Coast Guard said.
