A Coast Guard helicopter airlifted an ailing crew member from a freighter just outside Unalaska this week.

The crew of the 537-foot bulk carrier Jamaica Bay contacted the Coast Guard early Tuesday morning. They reported that a 37-year-old male crew member from China was experiencing severe abdominal distress and loss of feeling in his lower extremities.

The Jamaica Bay was more than 350 miles west of Unalaska at the time. So the Coast Guard passed the medevac request on to their MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, which is currently forward deployed to the Bering Sea. They directed the Jamaica Bay to change course and head toward Unalaska.

Once the vessel was within range, the helicopter crew flew out to meet it and hoisted the sick sailor off the deck. He was flown to Unalaska for emergency medical care.