30-Year-Old Crew Member Medevaced from National Geographic Venture off Coos Bay, Oregon

Introduction
In the early hours of Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, a medical emergency aboard the National Geographic Venture , operated by Lindblad Expeditions, prompted a rapid response from the U.S. Coast Guard. A 30-year-old crew member began exhibiting acute symptoms, including persistent vomiting and labored breathing, while the vessel was approximately 15 nautical miles off the coast of Coos Bay, Oregon. The Coast Guard swiftly executed a medevac operation using an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, successfully transporting the crewman to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, where he was reported to be in stable condition.

Details of the Incident

Medical Emergency Overview:

• A 30-year-old crew member aboard the *National Geographic Venture* began experiencing acute symptoms, including persistent vomiting and labored breathing.
• The incident occurred approximately 15 nautical miles off the coast of Coos Bay, Oregon, during the early hours of Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.
• The ship’s crew promptly contacted the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River at 6:38 a.m. local time to report the situation.

Medevac Operation:

• After consulting with the duty flight surgeon, it was determined that an immediate medevac was necessary to ensure the crewman received urgent care.
• An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was launched from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend without delay.
• By 8:00 a.m., the helicopter had reached the *National Geographic Venture* and executed a precision hoist from the vessel’s deck.
• The crewman was safely lifted aboard the helicopter and transported to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, where he was reported to be in stable condition upon arrival.

Coordination and Response:

• Lieutenant Christopher Saylor, the Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator for Sector Columbia River, praised the seamless collaboration among all parties involved.
• He emphasized the importance of expert coordination between flight crews, the ship’s master, and watchstanders ashore in ensuring the safe execution of such missions.

Response and Impact

Emergency Response:

• The U.S. Coast Guard acted swiftly, launching the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter within minutes of receiving the distress call.
• The precision hoist operation demonstrated the Coast Guard’s expertise in conducting medevacs in challenging maritime environments.

Passenger and Crew Impact:

• The incident did not disrupt the operations of the *National Geographic Venture*, and no other crew members or passengers were affected.
• The successful medevac underscores the importance of onboard medical teams and their collaboration with external emergency services.

Broader Implications:

• This incident highlights the challenges of managing medical emergencies in remote maritime zones and the critical role of coordinated emergency response systems.
• Industry experts emphasize the need for advanced telemedicine capabilities and clear protocols for medevacs in international and coastal waters.

Key Takeaways:

• A 30-year-old crew member aboard the *National Geographic Venture* experienced acute medical symptoms on April 20, 2025, prompting a medevac operation off the coast of Coos Bay, Oregon.
• The U.S. Coast Guard launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, executing a precision hoist and transporting the crewman to Bay Area Hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition.
• The success of the operation was attributed to seamless collaboration among flight crews, the ship’s master, and watchstanders ashore.
• This incident underscores the importance of robust contingency planning and expert coordination for medical emergencies at sea.
• No disruptions to the ship’s operations were reported as a result of the medevac.