The short version
- Marine Insight reported the master of the 328-foot tanker notified Rescue Sub-Center San Juan on Saturday night about four crew members experiencing symptoms
- Aero-News Network reported an MH-60T Jayhawk from Air Station Borinquen hoisted the mariners on Sunday morning and flew them to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
- The four were transferred to emergency medical services and taken to Carolina Regional Hospital according to both Marine Insight and Aero-News Network
- Lt Stan Raymond told Aero-News Network the vessel was a challenging hoisting environment but the crew identified the safest location
Medical Evacuation Near Vieques
Four crew members of the Cyprus-flagged oil tanker M/V Daibelli were airlifted by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter on Sunday, November 8, after suffering suspected food poisoning. The tanker was located about one nautical mile off the southern coast of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Marine Insight reported that the vessel's master contacted Rescue Sub-Center San Juan on Saturday night to report the symptoms.
An MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen responded the next morning, hoisted the four mariners aboard and transported them to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan. There, they were met by emergency medical staff and taken to Carolina Regional Hospital, according to both Marine Insight and Aero-News Network.
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Coast Guard Coordination
Lt. Stan Raymond, who co-piloted the aircraft, said the ship presented a challenging hoisting environment. He credited the crew's teamwork for safely completing the operation and thanked Coast Guard Sector San Juan for arranging medical services and refueling at the airport. Aero-News Network reported.
The operation involved support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Public Health Service, Puerto Rico Emergency Medical Services and hospital staff, both outlets stated. The Coast Guard Southeast District said its crews "remain on standby around the clock to respond to" mariners in distress, Marine Insight reported.
Where the sources differ
Both Marine Insight and Aero-News Network agree on the date of the incident (Saturday night notification, Sunday morning evacuation), the vessel name and flag, the number of crew members, the suspected cause, the helicopter type and home station, the landing site at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, the hospital name (Regional or Carolina Regional), and the supporting agencies. Marine Insight alone reported the tanker length of 328 feet and the exact distance of one nautical mile off Vieques' southern coast. Aero-News Network alone quoted Lt. Stan Raymond at length on crew resource management and adaptability.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state the current medical condition of the four crew members, whether they remain hospitalized, the outcome of any medical evaluation, the size of the tanker's full crew, whether the vessel continued its voyage, or any details on what food may have caused the suspected poisoning.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Coast Guard Airlifts 4 Tanker Crew Off Puerto Rico
- Reporting Coast Guard Airlifts 4 Tanker Crew Off Puerto Rico
- Reporting Coast Guard Medevacs 4 Crewmembers From Oil Tanker Off Puerto Rico
How we checked this
Marine Insight and Aero-News Network both covered the Coast Guard medical evacuation off Vieques on November 8 and 9. The involvement of multiple supporting agencies and the standby posture of Coast Guard Southeast District crews rest on statements reported by Marine Insight.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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