WASHINGTON – A Coast Guard chief petty officer was honored Tuesday for his superior service while deployed in support of overseas combat operations.

Chief Petty Officer Lee Conroy, a maritime enforcement specialist, assigned to Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego, was presented the 2011 National Defense Industrial Association Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict Award for his actions in support of the counter-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.

This award honors one member from each of the five armed services who has distinguished him or herself while supporting special operations, low-intensity conflicts or irregular warfare.

“I am honored to be recognized alongside our DOD brethren,” said Chief Petty Officer Lee Conroy. “But the true recognition belongs to my shipmates at MSST San Diego. Without their dedication and sacrifice I wouldn’t be receiving this award.”

Chief Conroy was sighted for his leadership, superior judgment and operational knowledge. He successfully led an eight-person advanced interdiction team during a 120-day overseas deployment to Central Command for operations Enduring Freedom and Riptide. As part of the anti-piracy Task Force 151Chief Conroy instructed training sessions with 80 Navy Vessel Board, Search and Seizure team members in Close Quarters Combat and mission planning in anticipation of joint boardings. Chief Conroy’s professionalism and leadership resulted in the removal of 18 pirates from the Gulf of Aden during four joint Coast Guard and Navy counter-piracy boardings.

“We are extremely proud of Chief Conroy,” said Coast Guard Capt. Jeffrey Novotny, Deputy Commander of the Coast Guard’s Deployable Operations Group. “His accomplishments epitomize the capability and adaptability our deployable specialized forces bring to operational commanders at home and abroad.”

Conroy and his fellow honorees were presented the award Tuesday evening before a crowd of nearly 600 special operations soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and their families. The banquet featured a number of distinguished guests, including Adm. James A. Winnefeld, Jr., USN, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, who delivered the keynote address.

WASHINGTON – Chief Petty Officer Lee Conroy (center), a maritime enforcement specialist, assigned to Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego, was presented the 2011 National Defense Industrial Association Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict Award for his actions in support of the counter-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden Feb. 7, 2012. Conroy was presented his award by Gen. James E. "Hoss" Cartwright (center), USMC (Ret), former Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Ms. Irene H. Sanders, Chair, NDIA SO/LIC Division (right). Photo courtesy Scott Rekdal of NDIA.

GULF OF ADEN – Coast Guard and U.S. Navy Visit, Board, Search and Seize members (VBSS) members are shown enroute to a counter-piracy boarding, Feb. 5, 2011. The Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109) detachment deployed for four months in support of Combined Task Force 151’s counter-piracy operations. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

GULF OF ADEN – Coast Guard and U.S. Navy Visit, Board, Search and Seize members (VBSS) members conduct training with U.S. Navy aerial assets, Feb. 4, 2011. The Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109) detachment deployed for four months in support of Combined Task Force 151’s counter-piracy operations. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

SAN DIEGO -- An aircrew from U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego airlift a man who needed urgent medical care from a cruise ship approximately 30 miles southwest of San Diego, Feb. 2, 2012.

The 61-year-old man was transported to Sector San Diego and transferred to emergency medical personnel for further care. U.S. Coast Guard video by Sector San Diego.

SAN DIEGO -- An aircrew from U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego airlifted a passenger in need of urgent medical care from a cruise ship approximately 30 miles southwest of San Diego Thursday evening.

The crew of the Inspiration requested the medevac for the 61-year-old man who was experiencing chest pain at approximately 5:30 p.m.

A Coast Guard flight surgeon was consulted and recommended an immediate medevac for the passenger.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter launched from Sector San Diego to perform the medevac.

The Jayhawk crew hoisted the passenger from the cruise ship and transported him to Sector San Diego at 7:40 p.m., where he was transferred to emergency medical personnel for further care.

SAN DIEGO -- A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew from San Diego medically evacuated a 21-year-old woman aboard a Navy ship 20 miles northwest of La Jolla, Calif., early Monday morning.

The crew of the USS Bonhomme Richard, a multipurpose amphibious assault ship homeported in San Diego, contacted the Coast Guard at 3:16 a.m., requesting a medevac for the Sailor who they said was experiencing chest and back pains.

A Coast Guard flight surgeon was consulted, and recommended she be taken off the ship for immediate medical attention.

An MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew was launched from Coast Guard Sector San Diego to perform the medevac, arrived on scene and hoisted the woman at 4:22 a.m. She was then transported to Sector San Diego where an ambulance was waiting to transport her to Balboa Hospital.

The woman was transferred to emergency medical personnel for further care.

EDITOR'S NOTE: There is no imagery available.

SAN DIEGO --  The U.S. Coast Guard is warning mariners transiting in San Diego Bay that an aid to navigation located near the west end of Shelter Island was damaged in an allision and could pose a hazard to navigation.

Shelter Island West End Light 4, LLNR-1595, was struck sometime before Wednesday afternoon, shifting the day board portion of the aid out of position and bending a section of the ladder perpendicular to the aid near the waterline.

The light on the aid is still operating properly. This aid marks the right side of the channel into the Shelter Island yacht basin.

The responsible party left the scene without reporting the damage, leaving a potentially hazardous situation due to the steel ladder protruding from the pole and the misalignment of the day marker.

 Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team San Diego responded to the damaged marker and removed the protruding ladder Wednesday evening. Preparations to repair the day board  are currently underway.

Coast Guard responded to three separate vessel collisions with the aids to navigation near the west end of Shelter Island in the past year, two of which were unreported.

"The responsible party in this case did not report the collision or damage to the Coast Guard when it happened, as is required by law,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Tapp, Officer in Charge of ANT San Diego.  “Unfortunately, they also left a dangerous hazard in the area that could have easily damaged or injured another mariner using that aid to navigation in the dark or in foggy conditions.  The broken ladder was left perpendicular and protruding near the water line right at a level where it could have easily been struck again.  We are very fortunate that a mariner on a smaller vessel did not hit the dangerous protrusion from the pole and injure themselves or others."

San Diego Harbor Police reported the damaged aid to the Coast Guard Wednesday afternoon. Anyone involved in a collision with a navigation aid is required to contact the Coast Guard. Mariners are also urged to contact the Coast Guard if they observe discrepancies to any aid to navigation. The Coast Guard can be contacted on marine VHF radio Channel 16, or by calling the U.S. Coast Guard Joint Harbor Operations Center at (619) 278-7033.

The Coast Guard is currently investigating the circumstances of this allision. Anyone with information regarding this event is asked to contact the Coast Guard JHOC number listed above.

SAN DIEGO -- A section of ladder protrudes from a navigation aid near Shelter Island in San Diego Bay that was damaged by an allision Jan. 11, 2012. Aids to Navigation Team San Diego responded to the damaged aid, removing the broken ladder and preparing to realign the day board. Photo by Port of San Diego.

MIAMI – Today, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the seizure of more than two tons of cocaine from a vessel in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this month.

A Coast Guard deployable specialized forces team operating from the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) discovered more than two tons of cocaine during counter narcotics operations in the Gulf of Mexico, Dec. 2.

“This has been a great experience for us, being able to leverage the incredible capabilities of the Oak Hill,” said Cmdr. Rob Landolfi, Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South’s commanding officer.  “Our joint efforts during this deployment have resulted in the seizure of over two tons of cocaine.”

Oak Hill intercepted the motor vessel Mr. Geo in international waters off the Caribbean coast of Honduras. The Coast Guard boarding team recovered a shipment of cocaine, weighing more than 4,400 pounds worth an estimated street value of $245 million.

“We were conducting our Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station mission when we received the tasking to help execute the interdiction,” said Cmdr. David Bauer, Oak Hill’s commanding officer. “I am proud that the crew of Oak Hill was able to assist in the seizure.”

Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of U.S. ships to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission’s primary goal is information sharing with navy’s coast guards and civilians in the region. 

The Coast Guard deployable specialized forces team was comprised of law enforcement personnel from Tactical Law Enforcement Team South, Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team and Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109).

111209-N-0000X-005 Coast Guard law enforcement team, USS Oak Hill seize cocaine shipment

GULF OF MEXICO – Bales of cocaine, seized by a Coast Guard law enforcement team, are shown ready for transport off of the USS Oak Hill, Dec. 9, 2011. Working jointly with the Oak Hill’s crew, the Coast Guard team, comprised of members from Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South and Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109), interdicted more two tons of cocaine from the motor vessel Mr. Geo. U.S. Navy photo.

111209-N-0000X-048 Coast Guard law enforcement team, USS Oak Hill seize cocaine shipment

GULF OF MEXICO – USS Oak Hill crewmembers prepare bales of cocaine, seized by a Coast Guard law enforcement team, for transport off of the USS Oak Hill, Dec. 9, 2011. Working jointly with the Oak Hill’s crew, the Coast Guard team, comprised of members from Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South and Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109), interdicted more two tons of cocaine from the motor vessel Mr. Geo. U.S. Navy photo.

111209-N-0000X-087 Coast Guard law enforcement team, USS Oak Hill seize cocaine shipment

GULF OF MEXICO – USS Oak Hill crewmembers prepare bales of cocaine, seized by a Coast Guard law enforcement team, for transport off of the USS Oak Hill, Dec. 9, 2011. Working jointly with the Oak Hill’s crew, the Coast Guard team, comprised of members from Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South and Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego (91109), interdicted more two tons of cocaine from the motor vessel Mr. Geo. U.S. Navy photo.

Click the image below or the following link for video of the homecoming: http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1483361

SAN DIEGO -- Crewmembers of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman reunite with loved ones after their return to homeport at Naval Base San Diego from a 100-day patrol to the Bering Sea, Dec. 22, 2011. During the patrol, Sherman’s crew boarded 45 vessels to conduct safety checks and fisheries inspections, as well as responded to seven search and rescue cases, saving more than 20 lives and maritime assets valued at more than $1.5 million. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

Click each photo for a high-resolution version:

SAN DIEGO -- Loved ones of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman's crew wait for their return to homeport from a 100-day patrol to the Bering Sea at Naval Base San Diego, Dec. 22, 2011. During the patrol, Sherman's crew boarded 45 vessels to conduct safety checks and fisheries inspections, as well as responded to seven search and rescue cases, saving more than 20 lives and maritime assets valued at more than $1.5 million. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

SAN DIEGO -- U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman returns to homeport at Naval Base San Diego from a 100-day patrol to the Bering Sea, Dec. 22, 2011. During the patrol, Sherman's crew boarded 45 vessels to conduct safety checks and fisheries inspections, as well as responded to seven search and rescue cases, saving more than 20 lives and maritime assets valued at more than $1.5 million. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

SAN DIEGO -- A line handler pulls a mooring line to the pier from U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman as it returns to homeport at Naval Base San Diego from a 100-day patrol to the Bering Sea, Dec. 22, 2011. During the patrol, Sherman's crew boarded 45 vessels to conduct safety checks and fisheries inspections, as well as responded to seven search and rescue cases, saving more than 20 lives and maritime assets valued at more than $1.5 million. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

SAN DIEGO -- Crewmembers of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman reunite with loved ones after their return to homeport at Naval Base San Diego from a 100-day patrol to the Bering Sea, Dec. 22, 2011. During the patrol, Sherman's crew boarded 45 vessels to conduct safety checks and fisheries inspections, as well as responded to seven search and rescue cases, saving more than 20 lives and maritime assets valued at more than $1.5 million. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

SAN DIEGO -- Crewmembers of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman reunite with loved ones after their return to homeport at Naval Base San Diego from a 100-day patrol to the Bering Sea, Dec. 22, 2011. During the patrol, Shermans crew boarded 45 vessels to conduct safety checks and fisheries inspections, as well as responded to seven search and rescue cases, saving more than 20 lives and maritime assets valued at more than $1.5 million. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

For more information on the Sherman's patrol, click this link: http://www.sandiego.uscgnews.com/go/doc/830/1262827/

SAN DIEGO -- U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman is scheduled to return to homeport in San Diego from a 100-day patrol to the Bering Sea, Thursday morning.

During the patrol, Sherman’s crew boarded 45 vessels to conduct safety checks and fisheries inspections, as well as responded to seven search and rescue cases, saving more than 20 lives and maritime assets valued at more than $1.5 million.

One of the search and rescue cases involved the crew of the fishing vessel Rebecca Irene. They experienced engine problems limiting their speed to five knots, preventing them from avoiding a low pressure system dubbed “The Storm of the Century” by the media. The Sherman’s crew evacuated 20 non-essential crewmembers from the Rebecca Irene to the cutter and escorted the fishing vessel through the night until it was taken under tow by a tug from Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

Another search and rescue case involved the 649-foot motor vessel Morning Cedar that suffered damage to its steering system preventing maneuvering. The Sherman was on scene for more than 120 hours while the Morning Cedar flew in technicians from Europe to conduct temporary repairs. Sherman then escorted the Morning Cedar more than 400 miles to Dutch Harbor.

During a port call in Dutch Harbor, crewmembers participated in a ceremony with local Boy Scouts, replacing the weathered flags at the Bering Sea Patrol Monument at Memorial Park in Unalaska, Alaska.

During the ceremony, Capt. Joseph F. Hester III, commanding officer of the Sherman, spoke on the importance of remembering the 140 years that the Coast Guard has served in the Bering Sea, dating back to the Revenue Cutter Service. Afterward, the crewmembers visited the graves of servicemen from the Revenue Cutters Rush and Bear, dating from the 1890’s.

The Sherman is the sixth of twelve 378-foot Secretary Class High Endurance Cutters. It is homeported in San Diego, with a crew of approximately 160.

Click the below image for video of the Boutwell's homecoming.

SAN DIEGO -- U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell returns to homeport in San Diego after a two-month deployment to the Eastern Pacific, Dec. 14, 2011. Friends and family members met the crew at the pier to welcome them home. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

Click each photo below for a high-resolution version:

SAN DIEGO -- Families and loved ones of Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell's crew wait anxiously for them to moor and disembark at Naval base San Diego, Dec. 14, 2011. The Boutwell returned to homeport after a two-month Eastern Pacific deployment. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Alexis Motley.

SAN DIEGO -- Families and loved ones of Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell's crew wait anxiously for them to moor and disembark at Naval base San Diego, Dec. 14, 2011. The Boutwell returned to homeport after a two-month Eastern Pacific deployment. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Alexis Motley.

SAN DIEGO -- Families and loved ones of Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell's crew wait anxiously for them to moor and disembark at Naval base San Diego, Dec. 14, 2011. The Boutwell returned to homeport after a two-month Eastern Pacific deployment. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Alexis Motley.

SAN DIEGO -- Families and loved ones of Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell's crew greet them after they moored and disembarked at Naval base San Diego, Dec. 14, 2011. The Boutwell returned to homeport after a two-month Eastern Pacific deployment. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Alexis Motley.

SAN DIEGO -- Families and loved ones of Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell's crew greet them after they moored and disembarked at Naval base San Diego, Dec. 14, 2011. The Boutwell returned to homeport after a two-month Eastern Pacific deployment. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Alexis Motley.

SAN DIEGO -- Families and loved ones of Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell's crew greet them after they moored and disembarked at Naval base San Diego, Dec. 14, 2011. The Boutwell returned to homeport after a two-month Eastern Pacific deployment. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Alexis Motley.

For more information on the Boutwell's deployment, follow this link: http://www.sandiego.uscgnews.com/go/doc/830/1255867/

SAN DIEGO —The Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell is scheduled to return home after a two-month deployment to the Eastern Pacific Wednesday morning and are inviting a media pool to ride aboard the cutter from the sea buoy into homeport.

Who: A media pool of three members

What: Ride aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell from the sea buoy into port

Where: U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego, 2710 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

When: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, 7:30 a.m.

Why: Transit the harbor to port with the Coast Guard members of Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell after a two-month deployment.

Note: The media pool will ride aboard the Boutwell’s small boat from Coast Guard Sector San Diego to the cutter, which will be located at the San Diego sea buoy, embark the cutter for the ride into port.

The media pool will be established on a first come first serve basis and will be expected to share their footage with the rest of the media. For interested media please call the Coast Guard public affairs office at 619.278.7025 by 4 p.m., Tuesday.

SAN DIEGO -- Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell is scheduled to return to home port in San Diego from its two-month deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Dec. 14, 2011, at approximately 10:30 a.m.

During the deployment, Boutwell’s crew seized or disrupted 3,400 pounds of cocaine bound for the United States valued at more than $40 million in three separate events since departing Oct. 16.

This was Boutwell’s first deployment since changing homeport from Alameda, Calif., to San Diego in May.

The first smuggling attempt was disrupted Nov. 3, when the crew of the Boutwell located a suspicious fishing vessel operating approximately 155 miles off the Galapagos Islands and launched their law enforcement teams to investigate.

As Boutwell's small boats approached the vessel they observed a smaller boat, known regionally as a "panga," alongside the first vessel, with two more pangas in tow.

As the law enforcement teams approached, one of the pangas abruptly broke away from the fishing vessel but was intercepted by a Coast Guard boat crew. The panga quickly jettisoned an estimated load of 600-700 pounds of cocaine immediately upon spotting the approaching Coast Guard boats.

The second smuggling interdiction occured Nov. 4, when Boutwell's small boat crews were again investigating suspicious activity by several fishing vessels.

The Coast Guard crews surprised several vessels in the midst of an at sea rendezvous to either refuel or transfer contraband. The smugglers were forced to jettison their illicit cargo, again estimated to be approximately 600-700 pounds.

For the release concerning these two cases, please click here.

Boutwell’s most successful case began Thanksgiving Eve when the cutter approached fishing vessel El Soberano, approximately 230 miles west of Ecuador. The Coast Guard crew observed suspicious packages on board and the boarding team decided to conduct a search of the fishing vessel where they discovered 2,200 pounds of cocaine.

The boarding team detained all nine individuals aboard the two vessels and brought them aboard Boutwell and later transferred the suspects, boats and contraband to Ecuadorian officials.

Commissioned in 1968, Boutwell is the one of eleven 378-foot Secretary Class High Endurance Cutters. It is homeported in San Diego, with a crew of approximately 160.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Media representatives who wish to attend the homecoming at Naval Base San Diego should RSVP to Coast Guard Public Affairs by 10 a.m., Tuesday, at 619-278-7025.

EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN - The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell intercepts a fishing vessel with three pangas in tow, which resulted in the destruction of 1,300 pounds of cocaine at sea while on patrol off the coast of South America Nov. 3-4, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Jason Ganem.

SAN DIEGO – A U.S. Coast Guard safety zone will be in effect in San Diego Bay during the holiday parades of lights to be held on Sunday, Dec. 11, and Sunday, Dec. 18.

The San Diego Bay parade of lights safety zone will encompass all navigable waters within 150 yards of the parade route and participating vessels. The parade route begins near the west side of Shelter Island, north of the shipping channel, and continues south along the Embarcadero, then turns west toward the Coronado Bridge near the Convention Center, and ends near the Coronado ferry terminal. The safety zone will be in effect from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. both days.

People and vessels, including personal watercraft and small paddled craft, are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within the safety zone unless authorized by the Coast Guard patrol commander who will be reachable on marine-band radio channel 21A or 23A.

In addition to the safety zone and to facilitate the safe passage of parade participants and spectator boats, vessel traffic will be limited into or out of marinas adjacent to the parade route beginning at 5:00 p.m. both days. Marinas affected are:

• The marinas within America’s Cup Harbor

• 10th Street Pier

• north and south Embarcadero marinas

• east and west Harbor Island yacht basins

"In order to see the parade from the water, spectator boats should leave their respective marina in time to be clear of the marina entry and exit points by 5 p.m.," said Cmdr. Mike LeonGuerrerro of Coast Guard Sector San Diego. "Spectator boats must view the parade from the spectator boat viewing area. Event organizers will provide committee boats marked with a large 'committee' banner and yellow flashing lights to mark the parade route and perimeter," he said.

The spectator boat viewing area will be south (channel side) of the line of committee boats. Spectator boats must remain 150 yards from the parade vessels while the parade is ongoing.

Also, before the parade begins, the participating boats will be staged at the beginning of the parade route, in the vicinity of the west end of Shelter Island. The same 150-yard safety zone will be in effect around participant vessels during this time. Vessels in the parade of lights will be outfitted with holiday lights and decorations and may cause visual confusion with normal navigational lights. Due to the large number of vessels expected to participate in and observe the parade, boaters are urged to exercise safe boating practices in the congested waters.

The Parade of Lights will also include a fireworks demonstration launched from a barge that will be positioned south of Harbor Island. An additional safety zone will be in effect 500 feet surrounding the fireworks tug and barge for the same dates and times as the parade route safety zones.

Coast Guard and San Diego Harbor Police vessels with official markings and blue law enforcement lights will be on patrol to enforce the safety zone, as well as to provide law enforcement and emergency response. Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels with yellow and red flashing lights will assist in maintaining the safety zone. All perimeter and patrol vessels will have informational flyers indicating the area of the safety zone and event status.

While on the water, boaters are encouraged to make contact with the vessels enforcing the safety zone if they need any information, and in the event of an emergency contact the Coast Guard on marine band radio channel 16 or dial 911.

EDITORS: Please note charts below, request wide use of these to educate boaters about the safety zones.

For more information about the Parade of Lights and the route, please see their website at www.sdparadeoflights.org.

For information on Coast Guard San Diego check the releases at www.uscgsandiego.com.

For Local Notice to Mariners please visit http://navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=lnmDistrict&region=11.

For questions regarding Coast Guard operations, please call 619.278.7025.

The above image shows the parade route for the 2011 Parade of Lights.

Safety zone for the San Diego Parade of Lights fireworks.

Spectator viewing area flyer for San Diego Parade of Lights.

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1466357

SAN DIEGO -- A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew from San Diego medically evacuates a 77-year-old woman who was experiencing symptoms of a stroke aboard a cruise ship 230 miles southwest of San Diego, Nov. 26, 2011.

The woman and the ship's nurse were hoisted to the helicopter and transported to Sector San Diego, where the woman was transferred to emergency medical personnel for further care. U.S. Coast Guard video.

For the initial press release on this medevac, follow this link: http://www.sandiego.uscgnews.com/go/doc/830/1246683/

SAN DIEGO -- A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew from San Diego medically evacuated a 77-year-old woman aboard a cruise ship 230 miles southwest of San Diego Saturday afternoon.

The crew of the Carnival Spirit contacted the Coast Guard at 12:30 p.m., requesting a medevac for the woman who they said was experiencing symptoms of a stroke.

A Coast Guard flight surgeon was consulted, and recommended an immediate medevac.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Coast Guard Sector San Diego to perform the medevac, and a C-130 Hercules plane from Air Station Sacramento also launched to provide communications support and coordination for the case, and served as an escort for the helicopter.

Once on scene, the helicopter crew hoisted the woman and the ship's nurse and transported them the Sector San Diego at approximately 6 p.m.

The woman was transferred to emergency medical personnel for further care.