Fisherman Evacuated from Commercial Vessel after Suffering Heart Attack
A crew member on a commercial fishing vessel had to be medically evacuated by the Coast Guard after he suffered a heart attack on board the vessel.
The crew member fell overboard from the fishing vessel Gaston, while he was engaged in pulling up a dredge. He was immediately rescued, and crew members brought him back on board the vessel. However, he began to experience chest pains and other symptoms of a heart attack. The crew members informed the Coast Guard, and the man was transferred to a rescue boat. He was taken to the Air Station in Cape Cod from where he was airlifted to the hospital. The crewman is believed to be in a stable condition.
Jones Act Seaman
Fishermen on commercial fishing vessels, depending on the nature of their service to the vessel and the amount of time they spend on it, may be eligible for coverage under the Jones Act. Falling ill on a vessel in the vast ocean is a hazard that a merchant seaman constantly faces. 
Out on a tanker, commercial fishing vessel or any other kind of Jones Act vessel, illnesses can strike suddenly and without warning. Seaman may suffer heart attacks, strokes, appendicitis, or other emergency conditions that require urgent medical care. The first few minutes after the symptoms appear, can be crucial. The wrong kind of medical attention or delayed medical care during this time can prove fatal.
It's an employer's duty to ensure that a sick crew member gets the medical attention he needs. An employer must make arrangements for the seaman to receive specialized care offshore, if necessary. This may involve calling for Coast Guard and rescue help to have the worker airlifted.
Unfortunately, a single crew member who is unable to work due to illness can mean delays and financial losses for an employer. Such employers may try to delay calling for emergency medical help to have a worker moved onshore where he can receive specialized care. There may also be negligence in the kind of medical attention that a Jones Act seaman receives while he is on the vessel.
Injuries that are aggravated by the negligence of an employer may be mentioned in a claim under the Jones Act. Workers whose symptoms worsen or their condition deteriorate because of delayed medical attention on a vessel, must consult with a maritime lawyer to understand their rights.
