The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) medically evacuated a British Merchant Navy sailor from the British-flagged M/V Eddy Stone, Dec. 20.

The patient was flown to Kearsarge by an MH-60S Sea Hawk of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 for medical evaluation after the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) received a request.

"As Sailors we inherently understand the need to respond to the calls of distressed mariners at sea, so when we received a distress call this afternoon stating a civilian mariner with a serious medical condition required immediate care, Kearsarge quickly responded,” said Navy Capt. Jason Rimmer, commanding officer, USS Kearsarge. “Increasing sea state in the western Atlantic and overwhelming distances between the mariner's ship and the nearest hospital made it apparent that Kearsarge would need to medevac the patient to our ship so that our expert medical staff could provide prompt medical care."

The patient is in good condition onboard Kearsarge and being taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Bermuda.

"I'm extremely proud of how well our crew performed today.  Their life-saving efforts demonstrate the value and capability this Navy-Marine Corps team brings to bear when needed," said Rimmer.    

Kearsarge and Arlington, along with the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) are members of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, which is on a regularly scheduled deployment.

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