COAST GUARD AIR LIFTS FISHERMAN TO SAFETY

CHARLESTON, S.C. - A Coast Guard aircrew airlifted a fisherman to safety after he began having difficulty breathing approximately 35-miles southeast of Oak Island, N.C. Saturday at 7:40 p.m.

David Costin II, 27, from Monroeville, Ala., was airlifted from the commercial fishing vessel Crystal C by a Coast Guard rescue crew from Savannah, Ga., deployed at Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston on Saturday night after experiencing difficulty breathing due to a pre-existing condition.

The aircrew launched from Charleston and flew 115 miles to the Crystal C's position five minutes after a rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Oak Island, N.C. The rescue boat crew brought two paramedics from Brunswick County Emergency Medical Services to the Crystal C to stabilize Costin.

The crew hoisted Costin as well as one of the paramedics, Colby Ballard, from the Crystal C to transport them to New Hanover Hospital in Wilmington, N.C., where Costin is listed in stable condition.

"The rescue went smoothly because of excellent teamwork between the crews of both the helicopter and the small boat," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Andy Weckler, the helicopter flight mechanic for the rescue aircrew.

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