SEA GEM

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Helicopter of purse seiner caught fire - two crew members injured

A Coast Guard aircrew dropped medical supplies to the "Sea Gem" 900 miles northwest of Galapagos Island on Apr 19, 2015. At approximately 10 p.m. on Apr 18, the Coast Guard 11th District watchstanders received a call from the purse seiner, requesting medical supplies for two injured crewmembers aboard. The operator of the vessel reported they were conducting routine fishing operations in air and on water when their helicopter’s cabin caught on fire. The helicopter crew conducted an emergency landing in the water and was recovered by the fishing vessel. The two distressed members suffered severe burns, and the crew administered first aid. A Coast Guard flight surgeon was consulted and recommended an airdrop of medical supplies and advised the patients receive high-level care as soon as they arrive to shore. At approximately 7 a.m. on Apr 19, a Coast Guard C-130 Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida, flew from Costa Rica to the fishing vessel and successfully dropped two units of medical supplies, provided by the Red Cross, by parachute to personnel aboard the Sea Gem at approximately 11:40 p.m. The operator of the "Sea Gem" kept maintaining communication with the Coast Guard until it pulls into port in the Galapagos Islands approximately on Apr 22. Report with video: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2494526/