USCG medevacs 64-year-old man from cruise ship off NC coast

The Coast Guard medevaced a 64-year-old man Tuesday from a cruise ship approximately 160 miles east of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release.

Crewmembers aboard the Carnival Splendor, a 950-foot cruise ship, contacted Coast Guard watchstanders at approximately 6:30 p.m. Monday, notifying them a man was experiencing chest pains and in need of medical attention aboard the ship approximately 450 miles southeast of Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Fifth District watchstanders contacted the Carnival Splendor, requesting the ship alter course toward North Carolina, and they agreed to conduct the medevac Tuesday morning when the Carnival Splendor would be close enough for a Coast Guard helicopter to respond.

At approximately 5 a.m. Tuesday, command center watchstanders dispatched crews aboard an MH-60 Jawhawk helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to assist.

The Jayhawk crew arrived on scene at approximately 6:35 a.m., hoisted the man into the helicopter and took him to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, where the man was reported to be in stable condition.