Coast Guard Medevac of Crew Member from Carnival Sunshine: Incident on 27 April 2024

On 27 April 2024, a critical medical evacuation was conducted for a 35-year-old male crew member aboard the cruise ship Carnival Sunshine while the vessel was navigating approximately 160 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida. The US Coast Guard's 7th District Southeast, based in Miami, deployed a Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawk helicopter from Air Station Clearwater to hoist the crew member and transport him to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida, for urgent medical treatment.

The incident occurred at the start of a scheduled 5-day Bahamas cruise itinerary. The prompt response by the Coast Guard ensured the crew member received necessary medical attention swiftly, demonstrating critical collaboration between maritime and medical services for safety at sea.

The medevac operation was executed while Carnival Sunshine was en route to Port Canaveral. A Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawk helicopter from USCG Air Station Clearwater was deployed to the vessel's position. The crew member was successfully hoisted by the helicopter along with a ship nurse, who accompanied him during transport. Both were then flown to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida, where the crew member received urgent medical care.

Fatalities

• None reported.

Injuries

• 1 crew member (35-year-old male) requiring urgent medical evacuation.

Rescued

• 1 crew member successfully hoisted and transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center.

The US Coast Guard's 7th District Southeast, based in Miami, coordinated the emergency response. A Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawk helicopter from USCG Air Station Clearwater was deployed to the vessel's location approximately 160 miles east of Jacksonville. The crew member was hoisted along with a ship nurse and transported directly to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida, for urgent medical treatment.