A crew member was airlifted from the Atlantic Power, a large ship anchored off Government Cut, after suffering injuries from a fall on Tuesday morning. The incident prompted a swift response from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, who faced challenging conditions at sea while attempting to rescue the injured individual.
Key Takeaways
- A crew member fell on the exterior stairs of the Atlantic Power.
- Initial rescue efforts by a fire rescue boat were hampered by high winds and waves.
- A fire rescue helicopter was deployed to hoist the injured crew member to safety.
- The crew member is expected to make a full recovery.
Incident Overview
At approximately 9:15 a.m. on October 22, 2024, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue received an emergency call regarding a hazardous situation involving the Atlantic Power. The crew member, identified as the ship's master, suffered a slip and fall while navigating the exterior stairs of the vessel. The incident raised immediate concerns for the crew's safety and prompted a rapid response from local emergency services.
Rescue Operations
Upon arrival, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue assessed the situation and determined that the conditions in the water were too perilous for a standard rescue operation. High winds and significant wave activity made it difficult for the fire rescue boat to safely extricate the injured crew member using traditional methods.
- Challenges Faced:
- High winds and waves caused the ship to sway up to 200 feet in either direction.
- The moving nature of the vessel complicated the rescue operation.
Given these challenges, officials decided that the best course of action was to deploy a fire rescue helicopter. This decision was made to ensure the safety of both the crew member and the rescue personnel.
Helicopter Rescue
Video footage captured the dramatic moment when the injured crew member was hoisted from the ship and airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's Christopher Kramer noted the complexity of hoisting operations, especially from moving vessels.
- Key Points of the Helicopter Rescue:
- The helicopter was able to maneuver effectively despite the challenging conditions.
- The crew member was secured and transported swiftly to medical facilities.
Aftermath and Recovery
Fortunately, the injuries sustained by the crew member were not life-threatening. Officials from Atlantic Oceanic LLC expressed gratitude to the emergency responders for their prompt and professional actions. Paul Crowther, Vice President of Atlantic Oceanic, stated that the crew's quick reactions were instrumental in ensuring the master received timely medical attention.
- Statements from Officials:
- "The company would like to extend heartfelt thanks not only to the USCG and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue for their prompt and professional response but also to the crew on board, whose quick reactions ensured the master received medical attention as swiftly as possible."
As the situation unfolds, the crew member is expected to make a full recovery, highlighting the importance of training and preparedness in emergency response situations at sea.
Sources
- Crew member airlifted from ship off Government Cut – NBC 6 South Florida, NBC 6 South Florida.
