A medical evacuation operation was executed by the U.S. Coast Guard on Friday, November 29th, following a medical emergency aboard the ms Koningsdam, a HAL-Holland America Line cruise ship. A 66-year-old female passenger, reportedly displaying stroke symptoms, required immediate medical attention.
The Koningsdam was ~280 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico maritime boundary when the vessel's crew requested assistance. In response, the Coast Guard deployed 2 air crews from San Diego and Sacramento to carry out the medevac.
Upon reaching the vessel, the teams successfully transferred the patient to a helicopter, which transported her to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla in San Diego. Medical authorities later confirmed that the woman was in stable condition. Her identity was not disclosed.
Lt. Brady Stepan, a pilot at Air Station San Diego, noted that the operation exemplified the purpose of the team's rigorous training. He acknowledged the seamless coordination between the command center and the C-27 cover aircraft crew, which ensured the patient’s swift transfer to advanced medical care.
At the time of the accident, the ship was on a 14-day, round-trip Classic California Coast Baja Peninsula cruise.
For more ms Koningsdam incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.