U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
SEVENTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT

Perseverance saves Florida sailboat captain

Coast Guard units complete rescue 200 miles offshore

***Video/Interviews available***

   SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - Today at first light, a Coast Guard helicopter airlifted the captain of a 43-foot sailboat 217-miles north of Puerto Rico to a medical facility in San Juan.  

   The patient was hoisted from his vessel , Always Saturday, in the open waters of the North Atlantic in challenging weather conditions, bringing to a happy conclusion a massive 24-hour rescue effort. 

   Early yesterday morning the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center in San Juan received word that Ronald Epner, 56, of Ft. Myers, Fla., was experiencing chest pain and heart attack-like symptoms.  Using a satellite telephone, the crew of Always Saturday was able to communicate with the Coast Guard Flight Surgeon in Puerto Rico and diagnose his symptoms.  It was determined that Epner should be transported to proper medical facilities as soon as possible.

   Immediately, the Rescue Coordination Center began developing an aggressive plan in order to conduct a safe long-range medevac.  A plan was developed that incorporated the skills and capabilities of an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater, Fla., and an HU-25 Falcon crew from Air Station Miami, both flying from Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

   The plan required the Falcon jet to perform the role of spotter as well provide safety cover and communications support to the Jayhawk helicopter crew that would be required to conduct the hoist.

   Weather quickly became a factor yesterday, as a strong band of thunderstorms, gusty wind and rain moved through the area.  Knowing time was critical and the use of air assets was stalled by weather, as a secondary plan the Rescue Coordination Center diverted a merchant ship in the area.  

   The Motor Vessel Speybank, a 525-foot merchant vessel registered with the Atlantic Merchant Vessel Emergency Reporting System (AMVER), a network of volunteer merchant vessels who have agreed to be diverted from their commercial routes when necessary in the interest of safety of life at sea , was diverted to assist.  Also, a 110-foot patrol boat, Sapelo, from Coast Guard Base San Juan got underway enroute to the distressed vessel.

   Late yesterday evening, Speybank located the sailing vessel Always Saturday but due to the sea conditions and rain, a patient transfer was too risky.  Speybank remained on scene assisting in radio communication and lending moral support until relieved by Sapelo.  

   In the early morning hours today, the weather allowed the duo of aircraft to take off to Mr. Epner’s rescue. Meanwhile, in stable but worsening health, Epner and his crew of 3 were met by Sapelo.  Epner, was transported to the Sapelo by a small boat and treated by a Coast Guard medical corpsman, Petty Officer Second Class Gustavo Cardona, until the aircraft arrived to conduct the airlift.

   At approximately 7 a.m. this morning Epner was hoisted into the Jayhawk along with Cardona.  The 217-mile journey to Centro Medico in San Juan, Puerto Rico took about one and a half hours.  Mr. Epner was transferred to an awaiting ambulance and is reported in stable condition. 

 -uscg-

Editor's Note: Video of this medevac is available at Coast Guard Base San Juan in La Puntilla.  Please contact Ensign Eric Willis for details.  787-510-7923 or 787-729-5387.  Please call for possible Interview with HS2 Gustavo Cardona and/or the rescue team of the helicopter.

    For media outside Puerto Rico, please work with your network affiliates in the Commonwealth to get a copy.