Injured Fisherman Medevaced from F/V Patricia Lee

An injured fisherman was medevaced from a fishing boat on 10/19/2021 after sustaining serious injuries to his pelvic region. It is reported that the crewmember became pinned by a crab pot while working on deck. The F/V PATRICIA LEE was located about 225 miles west of Dutch Harbor at the time of the accident.

The master of the 117-foot F/V PATRICIA LEE contacted Watchstanders in the 17^th District command center in Juneau to request a medevac at about 4 p.m. The fishing vessel made its way toward Dutch Harbor as Command center personnel directed the launch of the Air Station Kodiak helicopter crew from Cold Bay. In an effort to provide backup, an additional MH-60 Jayhawk aircraft crew and a Coast Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft crew were launched from Air Station Kodiak.

The MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak hoisted the injured fisherman at approximately 11:50 p.m., then he was flown to Dutch Harbor and placed in the care of awaiting LifeMed personnel.

“Thanks to the cooperation among air crew members, the command center team and the crew aboard Patricia Lee, our Kodiak team was able to hoist and deliver this young individual to a higher level of care,” said Lt. Robert McConnel, Air Station Kodiak operations duty officer for the case. “Our crews routinely train for the treacherous Alaska night conditions they encountered yesterday. It feels good to see our team execute when someone’s life is on the line.”

Weather at the scene was reported as 14-foot seas with rain, snow, and sleet. Winds were 40 mph with gusts up to 55mph.

Under Federal Maritime Law and the Jones Act, employers and vessel owners are required to provide crewmembers and fishermen with a safe place to work and a seaworthy vessel. All members of the crew must be properly trained and be given proper and safe equipment to do their jobs. A moment of negligence can quickly lead to a permanent injury. If you are injured through negligence or unseaworthiness, you may be entitled to damages for lost wages, lost wage-earning capacity, disfigurement, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and medical expenses. In nearly every case, an injured fisherman, deckhand, or crewmember is entitled to maintenance and cure.

The lawyers at Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC understand how injuries happen and how they impact you and your ability to earn a living in the future. They know how accidents happen aboard ships, and they understand how those accidents can be prevented through safe practices. Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC is one of the most experienced Maritime Law Firms in the nation.