The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center activated the California Air National Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing to conduct an airlift operation to evacuate a man from a cruise ship to a hospital on May 7.
The 64-year-old man experienced a heart attack while aboard the RCI-Royal Caribbean's ship Ovation of the Seas cruise liner, which was positioned 800 nautical miles (1480 km/920 mi) off the coast of San Francisco CA. Medical personnel on the ship determined that the man required advanced medical attention.
Colonel Victor L. Teal Jr., commander of the 129th Rescue Wing, emphasized the readiness and commitment of his team, stating that their Airmen had dedicated their lives to service of state and country, and he couldn’t be prouder of the team, their accomplishments, and the things they did that others might live.
In coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard District 11, the 129th Rescue Wing deployed one U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and one HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from Moffett Air National Guard Base in Mountain View on the morning of May 7.
The rescue team rendezvoused with the cruise ship ~400 nautical miles (741 km) from the San Francisco coast. Guardian Angel pararescuemen conducted a hoist operation to airlift the man onto the helicopter for medical care and transport to Regional Medical Center in San Jose. The helicopter conducted 4 in-flight refuelings during the mission.
The man’s daughter, Veronica Goode, reported that he is currently in stable condition and recovering.
For more Ovation OTS incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.