US Coast Guard Medevacs 63-Year-Old from Grand Princess - 13 October 2024

On 13 October 2024, the US Coast Guard successfully evacuated a 63-year-old male passenger from the cruise ship Grand Princess via helicopter medevac approximately 170 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. The passenger was experiencing severe abdominal distress and was transported to shore, where he was received by medical personnel and transferred to an awaiting ambulance.

The Eleventh Coast Guard District coordinated the emergency response, deploying a Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter accompanied by an Alenia C-27 Spartan for aerial surveillance. The operation demonstrated the critical response capabilities of the Coast Guard in managing medical emergencies at sea.

The medical emergency was reported in the early hours of October 12 while the Grand Princess was more than 1,000 miles from San Diego. The ship navigated closer to the California coast to bring the patient within operational range of the Coast Guard helicopter. The Jayhawk helicopter successfully completed the evacuation by the afternoon of October 13. The passenger was walking with assistance when received by medical personnel ashore.

Vessel

• Name: Grand Princess
• Type: Cruise ship

Incident location

• Approximately 170 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, California

Fatalities

• None reported.

Injuries

• 1 passenger with severe abdominal distress evacuated for medical treatment.

Rescued

• 1 passenger successfully evacuated and transported to shore.

The Eleventh Coast Guard District implemented a scheduled communication protocol, maintaining hourly updates throughout the operation. A Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter, accompanied by an Alenia C-27 Spartan for aerial surveillance, conducted the rescue once the vessel was within operational range. The patient was transported to shore and received by medical personnel for further treatment.