Fisherman Transported to Portland Hospital after Serious Eye Injury

Watchstanders at U.S. Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay received a distress call from the F/V PIKY on August 4th after a crewmember sustained a serious eye injury and vision loss. The fisherman was reportedly reeling in a tuna when a line slipped, causing a swivel tackle to strike Nathanial Miller, age 24, in the face.

The distress call was relayed to Coast Guard Sector North Bend, Oregon, where a flight surgeon believed it crucial to transport the injured worker to a higher level of medical care as soon as possible.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River as well as an HC-27J Spartan medium-range surveillance aircrew from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento in McClellan, California, were deployed.

The captain of the F/V PIKY was instructed to travel toward the shore to meet the deployed crew to decrease the distance and medevac response time, as the vessel was located about 150 miles off the coast of Yaquina Bay, Oregon at the time of the incident.

The Jayhawk aircrew hoisted then transported Mr. Miller to awaiting medical professionals at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland. Arrival time was just after 6 p.m.

“This rescue was the result of multiple Coast Guard units across the Pacific area working together to coordinate a successful offshore medevac,” said Lt. Matthew Peryea, command duty officer at the 13th Coast Guard District Command Center. “The teamwork of all units involved is testament to service dedication we take pride in as we celebrate the Coast Guard’s 230th birthday.”

Due to the nature of work at sea, fishermen and other maritime workers are at high risk for eye injuries, which can be devastating. The lawyers at Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC understand how eye injuries happen and how they can be avoided. They have extensive experience recovering compensation for those whose eyesight has been damaged or lost while working on fishing boats or other vessels at sea. Injured fishermen are entitled to compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, lost current and future earnings, maintenance and cure, and are entitled to choose their own health care providers. If you have been injured while working at sea, please contact Stacey and Jacobsen, PLLC today for a free consultation and explanation of your rights.