Aircrew Evacuates Boater 80 Miles Offshore

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Savannah, Ga., medically evacuated a boater after he began experiencing life-threatening medical complications aboard his vessel 80 miles off the coast of Georgia Friday.

Medically evacuated was Jeff Landis, 36.

Watchstanders at the Sector Charleston command center were notified at 9:32 a.m., that Landis was experiencing medical complications aboard his 48-foot sport-fishing vessel, Poseidan, 80 miles off Doboy Sound in Georgia and was in need of immediate medical care.

An aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter immediately launched from Air Station Savannah and arrived on scene at 11:34 a.m. A rescue swimmer was lowered down to the Poseidan to assist in hoisting Landis. The aircrew hoisted Landis into the helicopter and took him to Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah where emergency medical technicians were waiting. The EMTs then took Landis to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah for further medical treatment. He remained in stable condition during the transports.

Landis was reportedly traveling from Palm Beach, Fla., to Ocean City, Md. His hometown and current condition are unknown.