SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A pregnant woman on board a Disney cruise ship was medevacked to shore after needing medical attention, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a release.
The Coast Guard says the cruise ship Disney Fantasy contacted watchstanders in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Monday morning requesting medevac assistance. The agency sent a Jayhawk helicopter to rendezvous with the Fantasy in the Atlantic Ocean about 180 miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Additionally, an Ocean Sentry aircraft from Miami was also sent to assist.
The patient, a 35-year-old pregnant woman from the U.S., was reportedly experiencing health complications that required a "higher level" of medical care on land.
Video released by the Coast Guard shows a rescue swimmer lowered down to the ship in order to get the rescue basket ready to safely bring the woman and the cruise ship doctor onboard the Jayhawk.
“Our crew was able to quickly, safely, and efficiently execute a long-range MEDEVAC for the patient to receive the higher level of care she required,” Lt. Cmdr. Todd Stephens said in a statement. “This case demonstrates the value of good crew resource management and the capabilities of our Jayhawk helicopter.”
The Coast Guard aircrew successfully transported the woman to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, where local emergency medical service personnel met them and took the woman to a local hospital.
“We are glad everything came together to help this passenger,” Ensign Michael Riccio, Coast Guard Sector San Juan operations unit leader for the case said. “The competency displayed by the Disney Fantasy crew and the Coast Guard personnel and units involved made all the difference.”