19 WING COMOX – A CH-149 Cormorant helicopter from 442 Squadron performed an evacuation of a 78 year-old, critically-ill man off a cruise ship Monday night.

The Cormorant and a CC-115 Buffalo were tasked by the Joint Rescue Coordinaton Centre (JRCC) in Victoria to conduct the medical evacuation approximately 150 kilometres west of Tofino, B.C. When the Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) were lowered on a hoist from the helicopter to the ship, the Sea Princess, the man was critical, unconscious and attached to an automatic ventilator.

“The patient was in critical condition and we constantly had to monitor him.” said Sergeant Jean Tremblay, SAR Tech Team Leader. “The hoist was a challenge because we had to make certain that ventilations continued, which added a certain degree of difficulty.”

Adding to the challenge was the fact that this was the first operational hoist for First Officer, Captain Luc Coates, who successfully flew the entire mission under the supervision of the Aircraft Commander. The team also lifted the ship’s doctor who, along with the SAR Techs, provided ongoing care until the patient was handed over to B.C. Ambulance.

The patient is under the care of Royal Jubilee Hospital and his current condition is unknown.

Cormorant crew: Aircraft Commander Capt Olsen, First Officer Capt Coates, Flight Engineer Sgt Gibeault and WO MacDougall and Search and Rescue Technicians Sgt Tremblay, Sgt Richardson and MCpl Tremblay.

Buffalo crew: Aircraft Commander Capt Brush, Pilot Capt Bouchard, Navigator Capt Kusch, Flight Engineer MWO Brydon and Cpl Hewitt and Search and Rescue Technicians Sgt Pasieka and MCpl Morrissette.