The Coast Guard medevaced a 90-year-old suffering stroke-like symptoms near Ketchikan aboard a 45-foot response boat-medium like this one, seen in Juneau, on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. (Juneau Empire file)

The Coast Guard medevaced a 90-year-old suffering stroke-like symptoms near Ketchikan aboard a 45-foot response boat-medium like this one, seen in Juneau, on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. (Juneau Empire file)

Coast Guard medevacs man from yacht near Ketchikan

The 90-year-old suffered symptoms of a stroke.

The Coast Guard medevaced a 90-year-old man from a yacht near Betton Island on Thursday afternoon.

Sector Juneau watchstanders received a call from the 177-foot yacht Ice Bear at approximately 12:55 p.m. that a 90-year-old man was suffering stroke-like symptoms, said a Coast Guard news release.

“We arrived on scene quickly and got this man to the level of care he needed thanks to our strong partnership with South Tongass Fire Department,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Espinoza, response boat operator for the case, in the news release. “We routinely train for situations like this and I’m proud when our team comes together when it counts.”

The Coast Guard and South Tongass Fire Department EMTs, aboard a 45-foot response boat- medium arrived at the yacht at 1:46 p.m, transporting the man aboard a litter to shore. He was transferred to EMS at Bar Harbor at 2:05 p.m. according to the Coast Guard.

The Ice Bear is reported to be the yacht of billionaire Walter Scott Jr, who was born in 1931, according to the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

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