Safety Officials Medevac Sailor From Kiribati to O’ahu

Ocean rescue. File image by Wendy Osher.

A 46-year-old mariner was medevaced to O’ahu on Saturday after experiencing abdominal pain while on a ship about 140 miles off Christmas Island.

Honolulu watchstanders received a report from the 549-foot Azamara Journey’s doctor on Friday evening that the man has been enduring the pain since Monday and his condition deteriorated despite antibiotic treatment.

The doctor and Coast Guard personnel agreed that the crew member required medical care that was not available on the ship as soon as possible.

The Azamara Journey diverted toward Christmas Island, where Coast Guard personnel recovered the mariner.

After an aircrew transported the crew member to O’ahu, he was later taken to the Queen’s Medical Center. While in flight, Hawai’i Healthcare emergency personnel cared for the sailor.

The mariner was aboard a Malta-flagged cruise ship that is on a voyage from Maui to Bora Bora.