The Coast Guard reports that an aircrew from its Sitka Alaska Air Station medevaced a passenger from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship last Tuesday. The [17th District Command Center](http://www.uscg.mil/d17/) was informed by the master of the *[Explorer of the Seas](http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipCode=EX)* that a 57-year-old passenger was experiencing stroke-like symptoms and requested that he be medevaced to a land-based hospital. The Coast Guard’s duty flight surgeon was consulted and recommended the medevac. The aircrew met the cruise ship in the Chatham Straight near Sitka and hoisted the man onto the rescue helicopter. The passenger was then transported to Sitka where he was met by awaiting emergency medical services personnel.

Petty Officer 1st Class Trevor Frommherz of Coast Guard 17th District Watchstander stated in a press release that, “During the summer months there is increased activity on the water, and our crews stand watch around the clock.” “The ability to safely hoist someone in distress from a cruise ship despite the often unpredictable Alaskan weather is a testament to the training our men and women put in on a daily basis.” Fortunately, there was fair weather conditions at the time of the medevac.

There has been no further report on the passenger’s condition.

Source & Photo Credit: [Coast Guard News](http://coastguardnews.com/)