Over the weekend, a dramatic rescue took place aboard a cruise ship located about 200 kilometers northwest of Port Hardy. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) swiftly responded to a medical emergency on board, successfully airlifting a passenger to safety early Saturday morning.
The mission was led by the skilled members of the RCAF’s 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, operating from 19 Wing Comox and working closely with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Victoria.
Utilizing a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and a CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft, the RCAF teams sprang into action before sunrise. The Cormorant helicopter reached the cruise ship first, enabling the rescue crews to coordinate with the ship’s captain for a smooth medical evacuation. Two highly trained search and rescue technicians were then lowered onto the ship’s deck to prepare the passenger for transfer.
The passenger, accompanied by a companion and medical staff, was safely lifted into the hovering helicopter and flown to Comox for further medical attention. Upon arrival, the individual was handed over to BC Emergency Health Services for transport to the hospital.
At this time, no specific details about the passenger’s condition have been disclosed.
