A Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew medevaced a 51-year-old woman off a Carnival cruise ship approximately 184 miles offshore of Galveston early today.
Watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston received a call at approximately 9 p.m. Saturday, from the medical staff aboard the Carnival Cruise ship Magic, reporting that a 51-year-old female passenger was experiencing respiratory problems and requested a medical evacuation.
Watchstanders dispatched an Air Station Houston rescue helicopter crew to respond. An ATC Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew was also launched to provide top cover.
The helicopter crew arrived on scene and hoisted the woman and a Carnival Magic nurse aboard the helicopter and transported them to the Scholes Airport in Galveston where they were met by EMS. The passenger was then taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch. The woman is reported to be in stable condition.
“Whenever we are responding to a case that is a significant distance offshore the risk is elevated, but with the expertise of both aircrews, as well as the seamless coordination from the Sector Houston-Galveston command center personnel, we were able to safely transport the woman to the highest medical care possible." said Lt. Cmdr. Scott Sanborn, the operations officer at Air Station Houston. "The success of this case is a testament to the combined efforts of all involved."