US Coast Guard Joins with Canadian Forces for Rescue Off Washington Coast - Video

Published 08/25/25 at 4:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Seattle, Washington) - U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Canadian Coast Guard joined together off the Washington coast last night to rescue two individuals experiencing medical emergencies.

Two critically ill passengers aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship were successfully airlifted Sunday (Aug 24) in a coordinated international rescue effort involving the three agencies. The ship was located approximately 145 nautical miles west of Cape Flattery, Washington, when the emergency response was initiated.

According to Coast Guard officials, watchstanders at the Northwest District received an urgent call early Sunday morning reporting two separate medical emergencies onboard. One patient, a 52-year-old woman, had suffered sudden cardiac arrest and was placed on life support. The second, a 99-year-old man, was experiencing a complete esophageal obstruction.

The complex operation mobilized air assets from both nations. A CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft were dispatched from RCAF 19 Wing Comox, while a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter launched from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles. The Kingfisher aircraft provided aerial coordination throughout the mission.

The MH-65 crew successfully hoisted the 99-year-old patient and transferred him to the Life Flight Network at Neah Bay, Washington. Meanwhile, the CH-149 Cormorant airlifted the 52-year-old woman to Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, British Columbia.

Also recently: US Coast Guard Halts Search for Missing Fisherman Off Central Oregon Coast - The vessel capsized near Newport's Yaquina Bay Jetty over the weekend

Cmdr. Kelly Higgins, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, had high praise for the collaboration:

“This case demonstrates how our specialized expertise and dedicated training allows us to rapidly respond to these types of time-sensitive medical evacuations at sea," Higgins said. "The expert coordination between the Canadian Coast Guard, the Life Flight Network, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard ensured this patient received the care they needed.”

The successful dual evacuation underscores the strength of cross-border emergency response capabilities in the Pacific Northwest.

Another similar incident this month also had a happy ending.

US Coast Guard crews from the Oregon coast and California coast joined forces when called to the the 97-foot vessel Defiant, after it was reported it was adrift and in need of help early in the morning on Sunday, August 3. Responding to the call were California coast crews from the Coast Guard Cutter Alder and Air Station Sacramento, while from the Oregon coast came Air Station North Bend, and Station Yaquina Bay. The coordinated effort included two aircraft delivering essential supplies - fresh water, a radio, and a dewatering pump - by Sunday evening.

Crews were eventually able to tow it to Newport, and all three mariners were safe. Coast Guard Crews from Two States Rescue Disabled Vessel Off Oregon Coast

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