MIAMI, Fla. – The Coast Guard rescued a 51-year-old man Monday after he was bitten by a shark while fishing aboard a vessel near Bimini, Bahamas.
A Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and crew arrived on the scene, hoisted the man, and transferred him to awaiting emergency medical technicians at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami reportedly in stable condition.
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An Air Station Miami HC-144 airplane and crew assisted with communications efforts with the Dolphin aircrew.
The motor vessel Shear Water crew contacted Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders at approximately 12:50 p.m., reporting a man aboard who had been bitten by a shark while fishing and that a tourniquet had been placed on the man’s arm to prevent further blood loss.
Sector Miami watchstanders, Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders and a District Seven duty flight surgeon conducted a conference call, recommended a medical evacuation and directed the launch of an Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and an Air Station Miami HC-144 airplane crew to the scene.
“This was the best possible outcome to a truly terrifying situation,” said Sean Connett, command duty officer at Coast Guard District Seven. “This individual was fortunate a fellow crew member was able to render aid prior to the Coast Guard’s arrival which, allowed for a quick extraction from the vessel.”