The Coast Guard reports that a helicopter crew was called to rescue a sick 67-year-old man from the QUEEN MARY II cruise ship on the night of October 16, 2013. After a conference call between the cruise ship and the Coast Guard’s district flight surgeon, a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was dispatched from Air Station Cape Cod. The helicopter flew 47 miles south of Nantucket Island to intercept the QUEEN MARY II and hoisted the man from the ship. Lt. Joe Klinker, 1st Coast Guard District public affairs officer stated, “Hoisting an injured passenger off an underway cruise ship takes a surprising amount of expertise and moving parts, and our crews take pride every time they do it”. He also went on to say, “This case is a great example of our unique role as maritime first responders.”

The man was medevaced to an area hospital and is condition is unknown.The QUEEN MARY II is operated by Cunard which is part of the Carnival Corporation family of cruise lines.