Coast Guard medevacs burn victim from cargo ship

A helicopter crew from U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego medically evacuated a burn victim from aboard a container ship 30 miles west of San Diego Saturday afternoon.

The aircrew hoisted the 55-year-old man to the helicopter and transported him to Sector San Diego, where he was turned over to emergency medical personnel for further treatment.

At 1 p.m., the Coast Guard was notified by the crew of the Motor Vessel Jupiter that a crewmember was seriously burned while trying to extinguish a fire on board. The MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Sector San Diego, rendezvoused with the Jupiter and completed the medevac at approximately 3:50 p.m.

The Jupiter’s crew, who are en route to Mazatlán, Mexico, reported no other injuries or complications due to the fire.

Crewmembers injured while fighting fires aboard the vessel on which they work are entitled to maintenance and cure, a daily living stipend and coverage of their medical expenses until their condition has reached maximum medical improvement. Where their injuries resulted from unseaworthiness or negligence, injured crewmembers are often entitled to additional recovery from their employer or the vessel owner.