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Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Pull Off Amazing Rescue At Sea

By  //  March 25, 2016

fisherman, dog transported to hospital

60 miles off of Manatee County, FWC officers rescue a commercial fisherman in distress and contact the U.S. Coast Guard for air support. Due to the dire medical issue, a helicopter was dispatched, meeting FWC’s Gulf Sentry on the way to land. Here, air rescue gets closer to the Gulf Sentry. (FWC image)
About 60 miles off of Manatee County, FWC officers rescue a commercial fisherman in distress and contact the U.S. Coast Guard for air support. Due to the dire medical issue, a helicopter was dispatched, meeting FWC’s Gulf Sentry on the way to land. (FWC image)

When a commercial fisherman sent out a mayday call declaring a medical emergency, Florida Fish and Wildlife Gulf Sentry crew responded.

The captain was in distress and told authorities that he had passed out, woken up and then felt as if he would pass out again.

He was the only person on the vessel and needed immediate assistance.

FWC Lt. Wells, Officers Smith, Freemon and Stephens were conducting an offshore patrol aboard the Gulf Sentry.

They quickly went to his position, (approximately 15 nautical miles away), launched a tender, retrieved the captain and his dog and brought them both back to the Gulf Sentry for transport.

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While en route, FWC officers contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, who launched a helicopter to airlift the grateful captain with his dog to an area hospital.

60 miles off of Manatee County, FWC officers rescue a commercial fisherman in distress and contact the U.S. Coast Guard for air support. Due to the dire medical issue, a helicopter was dispatched, meeting FWC’s Gulf Sentry on the way to land. (FWC image)
60 miles off of Manatee County, FWC officers rescue a commercial fisherman in distress and contact the U.S. Coast Guard for air support. Due to the dire medical issue, a helicopter was dispatched, meeting FWC’s Gulf Sentry on the way to land. (FWC image)

With the helicopter above, FWC officers steady the rescue line and prepared for the rescue basket to be lowered to the Gulf Sentry.

The USCG helicopter pulled the patient up, after which he was transported to the nearest hospital.

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60 miles off of Manatee County, FWC officers rescue a commercial fisherman in distress and contact the U.S. Coast Guard for air support. Due to the dire medical issue, a helicopter was dispatched, meeting FWC’s Gulf Sentry on the way to land. (FWC image)
60 miles off of Manatee County, FWC officers rescue a commercial fisherman in distress and contact the U.S. Coast Guard for air support. Due to the dire medical issue, a helicopter was dispatched, meeting FWC’s Gulf Sentry on the way to land. (FWC image)
60 miles off of Manatee County, FWC officers rescue a commercial fisherman in distress and contact the U.S. Coast Guard for air support. Due to the dire medical issue, a helicopter was dispatched, meeting FWC’s Gulf Sentry on the way to land. (FWC image)
A commercial fisherman sent out a mayday call declaring a medical emergency, FWC Gulf Sentry crew responded. They quickly went to his position, launched a tender, retrieved the captain and his dog and brought them both back to the Gulf Sentry for transport. While en route, FWC officers contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, who launched a helicopter to airlift the grateful captain with his dog to an area hospital. (FWC image)