Three Medevaced from Bulk Carrier Off Oregon Coast with Burn Injuries

Three crewman affected by burns and a damaged leg have been airlifted from a bulk provider Thursday roughly 52 miles west of the Columbia River Bar.

The three injured have been medevaced from the 623-foot Cyprus-flagged bulk provider MV Almasi. According to the Coast Guard, the crewmembers suffered accidents in line with chemical burns and one had a damaged leg following an accident reportedly whereas refueling and cleansing the holds.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River acquired the report at 11:30 a.m. Thursday from Pacific Coast Maritime Agencies, a vessel operation service for tanker and dry bulk vessels. A coast guard Jayhawk crew rendezvoused with ship greater than 50 miles off the Oregon coast round 1:42 p.m. and hoisted the three males from the deck of the vessel. The injured have been turned over to emergency medical providers at 3:09 p.m. after which transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria for additional medical therapy.

“The outstanding coordination between the Almasi crew and Coast Guard watchstanders and helicopter crew led to an effective medevac,” stated Petty Officer 1st Class John Bennett, the search and rescue controller at Sector Columbia River. “Despite the challenging weather conditions, our helicopter crew was able to safely hoist the injured men and get them to the medical care they required.”

Weather on scene was reported as 31 to 38 mph winds with 19-foot seas. Air temperature was 56 levels Fahrenheit and water temperature was 54 levels Fahrenheit.