UPDATE: Coast Guards Evacuates Two From Star Princess

HONOLULU – The Coast Guard successfully conducted a medical evacuation of two elderly cruise ship passengers from American Samoa to Honolulu, Tuesday.

The Coast Guard was notified that two passengers aboard the cruise ship Star Princess had suffered two unrelated injuries, Monday. The Coast Guard flight surgeon determined that medical evacuation would be the best option due to the medical needs of the patients. One passenger was a 91-year-old man; the second was an 82-year-old woman.

An HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Air Station Barbers Point was launched at approximately 2 p.m., Monday. Medical staff from Kalawao Rescue flew aboard and provided care during the approximately 10-hour return flight.

The 14th Coast Guard District encompasses an area of 12.2 million square miles of the Central and South Pacific. Coast Guard aircraft based in Hawaii frequently travel thousands of miles in response to search and rescue and other calls for assistance. The HC-130 Hercules is scheduled to be replaced by the HC-130J, which will bring increased capabilities to Coast Guard response across the Pacific.