Courtesy photo Petty Officer 3rd Class Omar Faba / U.S. Coast Guard

ALPENA–The U.S. Coast Guard airlifted a crew member from a shipping vessel on Lake Huron, near Harrisville, to the Huron County Memorial Airport, at 12:45 a.m. on Monday due to a medical event.

The crew member was then transferred to a local hospital.

According to a press release on Monday, the Coast Guard Air Station Detroit received a call about a 33-year-old man on the Walter J. McCarthy Jr. at 10:21 p.m. who was experiencing health issues needing medical attention.

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cristina Silva said the man was experiencing shortness of breath and an elevated heart rate. Silva said crew members on board presumed it to be an allergic reaction and helped him administer an EpiPen.

“The crew members of the motor vessel were trying their best to just keep him stable, but they figured it was best to call it in and have us assist to take him to a higher level of care,” Silva said.

The Coast Guard flew a helicopter crew and a rescue swimmer to hoist the man into the helicopter. After a quick evaluation check, the man was considered to be stable and taken to the Huron County Memorial Airport, where he was transferred to a local hospital, Silva said.

“Being safe on the water is great, whether, you know, working on a motor vessel or enjoying summertime activities, but knowing your capabilities and knowing how to reach out for assistance is always very helpful for us,” Silva said.

Silva said the last update the Coast Guard received was that the man was in stable condition.

“Thank you to the crew of the Walter J. McCarthy Jr. for their efforts in keeping their fellow mariner safe until we could transport the man to a higher level of care,” Air Station Detroit Pilot Lt. Rachel McGhee said in the press release. “The aircrew did a phenomenal job in coordinating with all personnel involved.”

Grace Walker can be reached at walke1ge@cmich.edu. This story was produced by the Michigan News Group Internship Program, a collaboration between WCMU Public Radio and local newspapers in central and northern Michigan. The program’s mission is to train the next generation of journalists and combat the rise of rural news deserts.