Coast Guard hoists sick man from cruise ship off N.J.

The U.S. Coast Guard came to the rescue of a 52-year-old man who fell ill on a cruise ship off New Jersey on Tuesday. 

U.S. Coast Guard image.

U.S. Coast Guard image.

The U.S. Coast Guard came to the rescue of a 52-year-old man who fell ill on a cruise ship off New Jersey on Tuesday.

Officials say MSC Cruises’ Divina ship was about 100 miles southeast of Atlantic City when the captain requested a medical evacuation.

The man, whose name was not released, was found unconscious on the ship’s pool deck, according to a Coast Guard news release.

The Coast Guard dispatched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Air Station Elizabeth City to complete the rescue mission.

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The helicopter crew hoisted man onto the helicopter and transported him to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Atlantic City Campus. Officials have not released his condition.

“We would like to commend the crew of the ship for their quick communication,” said Lt. James Fennessey, helicopter pilot during the rescue. “Notifying us as soon as possible gave us the time needed to plan and execute accordingly, which ultimately got this man the level of care he needed.”

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