Video released from March rescue of Canadian fisherman by US Coast Guard helicopter in Dixon Entrance

The cooperation between US and American rescue groups was in motion last month with a rescue mission taken on by a Sitka based US Coast Guard helicopter, which was called in to respond to a medical incident aboard a Canadian fishing vessel in Dixon Entrance.

The story relayed by Alaska Radio station KCAW outlines the nature of the March 10th call for assistance for the Fishing Vessel Freeport, with a crew member aboard the ship in need of medical assistance.

Tasked to the call was a Jayhawk helicopter based at the USCG Base at Sitka.

Upon arrival on the scene, the helicopter sent a Coast Guard specialist to the deck of the ship and then hoisted the stricken vessel member to the aircraft, with the conditions at the time described as quite challenging.

The US Coast Guard helicopter then transported the crew member to Masset where medical treatment was waiting for him.

The call for assistance was issued by the Canadian Joint Rescue centre in Victoria, it's not uncommon for US or Canadian services to offer assistance should they be the closest asset to the situation at the time.

The story is available here, with a video of the rescue also included here.

More notes on the work of Emergency responders in the Northwest can be explored through our archive page.