Fisherman Suffers Lacerated Arm Aboard the F/V Lake Bay

A 58-year-old fisherman working aboard the F/V LAKE BAY was medevaced on Monday after suffering a large laceration to his arm. Sector Juneau command center received a call from the vessel’s master that a crewmember had been injured and needed assistance.

Sector Juneau issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a Station Ketchikan boat crew with local EMS aboard to respond. Ketchikan emergency medical services and the boat crew coordinated the transfer of the injured man to Station Ketchikan, then to Ketchikan Medical Center for treatment.

“Today there was a situation involving an injured fisherman in need of an escort to a higher level of care,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Mitchell, a coxswain on the case. “With the cooperation of multiple responding agencies, our boat crew was able to successfully medevac the injured man south of Bold Island to Ketchikan, even with the restricted visibility.”

Weather at the scene during the rescue was reported as winds of 10 knots, seas at two feet, and dense fog with visibility of about 300 yards. The incident occurred in the Revillagigedo Channel, about 18 miles southeast of Ketchikan, Alaska. The man was reported stable upon transfer.

Cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds are all too common for individuals who work at sea. These types of injuries require immediate medical attention, and sometimes require months of recovery time and additional therapies. If not properly treated or if treatment is delayed, an injury of this nature can lead to serious complications and in some cases inhibit a fishermen’s ability to return to work. An injured fisherman is entitled to receive maintenance and cure until he/she reaches a point of “maximum medical improvement” or MMI, per your doctors orders.

If you have been injured at sea, understand your rights and contact the experienced attorneys at Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC for a no cost case review.