VIDEO | US Coast Guard medevacs crewmember from cargo ship carrying donated patrol boats off Hawaii

A US Coast Guard helicopter crew hoisted an ailing crewmember from the US-flagged cargo ship Ocean Gladiator about 86 miles (138 kilometres) off the Big Island of Hawaii on Wednesday, October 7.

The MH-65 Dolphin crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point hoisted the 55-year-old man at 08:35 local time. They then transferred him to Hilo International Airport for a higher level of medical care.

The coast guard's Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Honolulu received a medevac request from the ship's crew at 07:50 on Tuesday, October 6, when the vessel was 540 miles (869 kilometres) southeast of the Big Island.

A duty flight surgeon recommended an evacuation. Watchstanders then monitored the patient's condition and planned the helicopter response for when the ship came within range.