Press release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

A Coast Guard helicopter aircrew medically evacuated an 8-year-old male off the cruise ship Royal Princess approximately 20 miles west of Eureka, Tuesday.

Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders received notification at approximately 7 a.m. from Sector Columbia River relaying a request from the Royal Princess, stating that an 8-year-old male passenger onboard was diagnosed with appendicitis and needed to be medevaced.

Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders then coordinated the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew around 8 a.m.

The aircrew arrived on-scene, hoisted the passenger along with his family into the helicopter, and transferred him to emergency medical services at Saint Joseph Hospital in Eureka around 9:40 a.m.