Coast Guard medevacs crewman near Kodiak, Alaska

U.S. Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter gets a closer look at the fishing vessel...[US Navy file photo]

KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak medevaced a crewman who was exhibiting symptoms of hypothermia from the fishing vessel Stella in Shelikof Strait Friday. 

The 35-year-old man was safely hoisted by the Coast Guard helicopter crew and delivered to emergency medical personnel at Air Station Kodiak for further transport to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center. 

The crewman fell overboard from the Stella earlier in the day and was exposed to 37.6 degree Fahrenheit water without a survival suit for approximately 25 minutes. He was recovered from the ocean in Shelikof Strait by crewmen aboard the Stella.

"This crew did everything right to rescue this man and this is a perfect example of why vessel crews need to practice their emergency drills monthly," said Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Cole an operations specialist and search and rescue controller with the Coast Guard 17th District command center. "They were fortunate to be so close to Kodiak and our hoist capable helicopters allowing the patient to be delivered to advanced medical care in a matter of hours."

Weather at the time of the incident was reportedly 20 mph winds from the southwest with seas to 4-feet and freezing spray. The Stella is a 58-foot fishing vessel based out of Kodiak. Coast Guard personnel will investigate the cause of the man overboard.