On Monday, January 30, 2022, a crewmember was injured aboard O’Hara Corporation’s F/V CONSTELLATION. According to the United States Coast Guard, a hatch closed on the crewmember's arm, resulting in such a serious injury that emergency medical evacuation was required.
Medevac of the fisherman was no simple task. F/V CONSTELLATION is a 165-foot catcher-processor vessel based out of Seattle, but conditions in the Bering Sea are tricky. There were 40-knot winds and 10-foot swells at the time of the incident.
While the Coast Guard activated its response at during the evening of January 30, a Jayhawk helicopter departed Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak in Cold Bay, AK on Monday morning. The helicopter met the vessel outside of St. Paul's harbor later that morning and transferred the injured mariner to St. Paul Health Center. A USCGC-130 aircraft was also dispatched out of Kodiak, AK for backup.
A video of the Coast Guard helicopter rescue is available here.
Commercial fishing remains one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. That is especially true in Alaska and the Bering Sea. However, the Jones Act and general maritime law still mandate certain safety standards for the brave men and women who serve aboard commercial fishing vessels. If you or a loved one suffered a fishing vessel injury or wrongful death, you may be entitled to benefits and compensation by law. Mariner Law, PLLC represents injured deckhands and other commercial fishermen. Call today to learn more: (253) 600-2531. Initial consultation is free and confidential.
Source: Maritime-Executive