A photo of the R.V. Coral Sea from Humboldt State University’s Marine Laboratory web page.

According to Petty Officer Casey Judd of the Coast Guard, a crew member an HSU student was airlifted off the Coral Sea with a head injury this afternoon. 

Judd said the Humboldt State University research and teaching vessel was five miles offshore when the Coast Guard received a request for help at 2:45 this afternoon. A four person crew responded with a helicopter to the scene by 3:34 p.m. A rescue swimmer lowered to the deck of the vessel and prepared the patient to be hoisted to the aircraft. The patient was quickly brought on board the helicopter and by 4:11 p.m. was safely at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka.

Thanks to the Coast Guard team for their quick response and best wishes to the injured student.