[chris]

U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 medically evacuated a 37-year-old crewman from the 95-foot Chinese Taipei-flagged fishing vessel Jin Hsiang Fa on Sept. 21, 2024, about 138 nautical miles northwest of Saipan. U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam coordinated the case.

Rescue Coordination Center Taipei requested assistance at 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 20, and Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam began coordinating with HSC-25. The crewman was reportedly suffering severe symptoms, including leg swelling and reduced consciousness. A duty flight surgeon recommended rapid evacuation and advanced medical care.

The Jin Hsiang Fa had been transiting more than 350 nautical miles north of Guam and was directed toward Saipan to speed the medevac. An MH-60S Knighthawk launched from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, refueled in Saipan, and headed offshore.

The helicopter crew reached the vessel at twilight, lowered an aviation rescue swimmer to assess the crewman, and safely hoisted him. He was flown to Guam, arrived just before sunset, and was transferred to awaiting emergency medical services for further treatment.