An Oregon-based USCG (Coast Guard) helicopter crew has rescued a 67-year-old cruise passenger who had suffered a possible stroke around 200 miles offshore.
The helicopter crew, flying MH-60 Jayhawk, picked the man up from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Explorer of the Seas, that was in the middle of a nearly 6-day cruise from Seattle to Honolulu Hawaii.
C-27 Spartan airplane out of Sacramento CA has also been launched in order to facilitate communications.
The ship's crew had requested medical evacuation at ~2 pm on Saturday, October 6, when the man appeared to be suffering diabetic emergency and showed signs of stroke.
After the helicopter arrived at Astoria Airport, a 2nd air ambulance took the passenger to Providence St Vincent Medical Center, Portland Oregon. The condition of the patient was not disclosed.
For other Explorer of the Seas accidents and incidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.