Coast Guard 25605 on scene with the disabled vessel.
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Coast Guard 25605 on scene with the disabled vessel. |
Sunday July 20. While on patrol in the Raritan Bay our Auxiliary vessel facility 221247 with crew Gary Zdan, crew trainee Steve Wang, who is an Emergency Medical Technician with his local first aid squad, and me as the coxswain, Ken Stanley Commander Division 4, D1-SR.
At the start of the patrol while we were monitoring our VHF radio channels I heard a recreational boat skipper call the Coast Guard for help. Auxiliarist Phyllis Lindmeier was watchstanding at CG Station Sandy Hook.
The distressed boater stated that he could not start his engines and his girlfriend was having seizures and needed medical attention. As a first responder I carry a complete first aid backpack with medical oxygen whenever I'm on patrol.
Knowing that crew trainee Steve Wang has extensive experience with basic life support, I headed, at full speed, in the reported direction of the distressed vessel. When the watchstander at Station Sandy Hook was not talking to the distressed vessel we called them on our radio. I told them we were on our way and offered our help. Station watchstander Auxiliarist Lindmier said to continue on to the distressed vessel.
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Crewmember Gary Zdan looks on as we stand by for instructions. |
We arrived at the distressed boat about 15 minutes later, two or three minutes after a station 25 foot Coast Guard Safe Boat had arrived. I advised the Coast Guard coxswain what our emergency medical capabilities were and he requested that we transfer Steve Wang and the oxygen to their boat.
Auxiliarist Wang transferred to the CG Safe Boat and began administering oxygen to the victim. Since she was incoherent and appeared to be in shock. Auxiliarist Wang assessed her condition as serious. “She had limited motor control as well,” said Wang.
In choppy three foot seas and a stiff outgoing current Auxiliarist Wang and the Coast Guard crew transferred the victim onto the Safe boat. With Auxiliarist Steve Wang attending, they took the victim into Belford harbor to meet a waiting ambulance. She was then transported to a local hospital.
My crewman Gary Zdan and I stayed with the anchored and disabled vessel, and an onboard dog, a friendly Springer spaniel. Auxiliarist Frank Catena and the crew of another Auxiliary vessel were detailed to the scene to assist us. With their assistance, we ultimately towed the disabled boat to a nearby marina.
The crew of the Coast Guard Safe Boat expressed gratitude for our assistance. “We are grateful that you were on the water and nearby that day to assist,” they said. “we were glad to help!” I responded.
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| The crew of the Safe Boat and Auxiliarist Steve Wang begin the transfer of the victim to the Safe Boat. |
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| Close up of the difficult transfer process. |
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| Slow transfer process (the disabled boat's owner is in the t-shirt). |
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| Transfer complete. |
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| Transfer remaining crew onto the Safe Boat. |
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| Dog sitting! We were told the dog had a habit of jumping overboard if left unattended. |
~IJLA