Public Affairs Detachment New York
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Mar. 25, 2008 
Public Affairs
(212) 668-7114

Press Release

COAST GUARD MEDEVACS TWO SEVERLY INJURED CREWMEMBERS IN AMBROSE CHANNEL 

NEW YORK-Two severely injured mariners were medevaced from a 619-foot vessel anchored in Ambrose Channel at 3:20 p.m. today.

One crewmember is reportedly suffering from a broken right leg, as well as injuries to his chin, knee and back. The other is reportedly suffering from an injured collarbone and back and is presently immobilized. The injuries reportedly occurred due to heavy seas while the mariners were working on board the Thor Alliance, home ported in Thailand, while the vessel was en route to New York Harbor Saturday, March 22.

A Coast Guard HH60 helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod arrived on scene at 3:15 p.m. and lowered an emergency medical technician to the vessel to determine if an airlift would be physically safe for the crewmembers. Once the medevac was determined to be safe, the injured men were hoisted onto the helicopter and transported to a local hospital on Staten Island.

A Coast Guard boarding team discovered that the two crewmembers were injured while conducting a security boarding at 10:40 a.m. Due to the length of time the vessel will be at anchorage and the unknown severity of the injuries, a flight surgeon recommended the medevac.

"It's crucial to take precautions for all medical conditions you might receive while underway on the water," said Chief Petty Officer James Moore, Coast Guard Sector New York command duty officer. "Had it not been for the quick thinking of the Coast Guard boarding team members, the crewmember's injuries could have gotten progressively worse."

Weather on scene is reported as calm with 10-15-knot winds and one-foot seas.

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U.S. Coast Guard, saving lives since 1790.