USCG Medevacs Two Crew from Tanker off Port Arthur

Two crewmembers were medevaced from the 2007-built crude oil tanker United Ambassador after they were struck by a pressurized object and suffered injuries aboard the vessel some 20 miles off the coast of Port Arthur, Texas.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) informed that one of the crew, a 24-year-old man, was struck in the head by a pressurized part causing bleeding and unconsciousness, while the second sailor, a 42-year-old man, sustained a nose fracture.

The men were medevaced on Wednesday afternoon when the watchstanders diverted an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Houston and launched a 45-foot response boat from Station Sabine to assist.

Both men were taken to The Medical Center of Southeast Texas.

USCG said that the 42-year-old is in stable condition, while the 24-year-old was transferred to Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth Hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

AIS data provided by MarineTraffic shows that the 73,584 dwt tanker is currently at anchor off Port Arthur.