Photo by Sgt Jean Tremblay
The initial position of the Pan Uno was over 400 nautical miles from the West coast of Vancouver Island. The Cormorant’s maximum range is approximately 200 -250NM so JRCC Victoria Coordinators instructed the ship to proceed towards the North tip of the island anticipating that the ship would be in range the next afternoon.
Weather around this time was reported by the ship to be low ceilings and approximately 1 mile visibility in drizzle. En route weather was near operational limits and the Cormorant reported difficulty maintaining visual conditions en route to the Pan Uno. The Buffalo “Rescue 452” provided communications relay and top cover.
Three Search and Rescue Technicians were hoisted down to the ship at approximately 3 p.m. local. They were met by crew members who had been caring for the 38-year-old injured male. The injured individual had two fractured wrists from a three-meter fall. He was in stable condition, spoke English and was able to converse with the SAR Techs.
The SAR Techs secured the patient into their Stokes litter and prepared to extract him up to the helicopter.
Once aboard the helicopter they managed the patient’s pain, immobilized his fractures and carried out their medical protocols.
The Cormorant elected to fly IFR to Comox due to the weather and to expedite the transit. They were met by an Emergency Medical Services ambulance and they took over. The patient was taken to St Joseph’s Hospital and his condition is unknown at this time.
