Three Medevaced from Bulk Carrier Off Oregon Coast with Burn Injuries

An injured crewmember is airlifted from the deck of the MV Almasi, February 5, 2015. U.S. Coast Guard image

Three crewman suffering from burns and a broken leg were airlifted from a bulk carrier Thursday approximately 52 miles west of the Columbia River Bar.

The three injured were medevaced from the 623-foot Cyprus-flagged bulk carrier MV Almasi. According to the Coast Guard, the crewmembers suffered injuries consistent with chemical burns and one had a broken leg following an accident reportedly while refueling and cleaning the holds.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received 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 more than 50 miles off the Oregon coast around 1:42 p.m. and hoisted the three men from the deck of the vessel. The injured were turned over to emergency medical services at 3:09 p.m. and then transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria for further medical treatment.

“The outstanding coordination between the Almasi crew and Coast Guard watchstanders and helicopter crew led to an effective medevac,” said 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 degrees Fahrenheit and water temperature was 54 degrees Fahrenheit.

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