Two passengers experiencing medical issues were evacuated from the cruise ship Ruby Princess on Sunday, August 24, approximately 145 nautical miles west of Cape Flattery, Washington, authorities said.
The United States coast guard, Royal Canadian air force and Canadian coast guard carried out the two separate medical evacuations in a coordinated effort, according to the U.S. coast guard.
A 52-year-old female passenger, who had suffered sudden cardiac arrest and was on life support, was one of the two passengers onboard the cruise ship.
The other was a 99-year-old male passenger suffering from complete esophageal obstruction, according to a Aug. 25 U.S. coast guard press release.
Officials have stated that the operation involved simultaneous rescue efforts coordinated between Canadian and U.S. assets, including a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft from RCAF 19 Wing Comox, and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from USCG air station port Angeles.
The Kingfisher aircraft provided aerial oversight and coordination throughout the entire mission.
A MH-65 helicopter from USCG air station port Angeles was launched to medevac the 99-year-old. The crew successfully hoisted the patient from the cruise ship and conducted a wing-to-wing transfer with Life Flight Network at Neah Bay, Washington.
Meanwhile, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria launched the CH-149 Cormorant from 19 Wing Comox to conduct a medical evacuation of the 52-year-old female. The RCAF 909 hoisted the patient and transported her to Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC.
“This case demonstrates how our specialized expertise and dedicated training allows us to rapidly respond to these types of time-sensitive medical evacuations at sea,” said Cmdr. Kelly Higgins, commanding officer of U.S. coast guard air station port Angeles. “The expert coordination between the Canadian Coast Guard, the Life Flight Network, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard ensured this patient received the care they needed.”
