Video of the hoist is available online
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Coast Guard medevaced a 45 year-old man Sunday from a 39-foot recreational vessel approximately 44 miles east of Cape May.
At approximately 10 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received a mayday call on VHF marine radio channel 16 from the vessel Sea Robin stating there was a man overboard.
The Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched a C-130 "Hercules" out of Air Station Elizabeth City and an MH-65 "Dolphin" helicopter out of Air Station Atlantic City along with a boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Cape May and the Coast Guard Cutter Ibis also responded.
The man was located by the vessel Maersk Wesport after treading water for approximately four hours and was able to throw him life preserver. The recreational vessel was then able to retrieve him.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, arrived at the vessel, hoisted the man aboard the helicopter and transferred him to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for further medical assistance.
"The incredible teamwork and coordination between multiple Coast Guard assets and the Maersk Wesport proved vital in locating and medevacing the survivor despite intense thunderstorms and darkness," said Tamara Whalen, a helicopter pilot who flew the case. "Each member was critical to insuring the safe return of the survivor to his family."