The US Coast Guard rescued two ill cruise passengers from ships in the Pacific Wednesday.
In one, the Coast Guard and Navy worked together to medevac a 69-year-old male passenger from Princess Cruises' 2,600-berth Grand Princess (built 1998) suffering from abdominal distress 210 miles northwest of Hilo, Hawaii at 12:29 pm (2229 GMT).
Due to the distance, the Coast Guard asked the Navy to assist. The passenger was airlifted onto one of its Seahawk helicopters, with a second helicopter providing support, and was brought to Hilo Medical Center for treatment.
"The Coast Guard and the Navy often work together during search and rescue operations in the Pacific," Petty Officer 3rd Class Craig Howarth said in a statement.
"Each case is different and depending on the situation the long range capabilities of the Navy Seahawk aircrews with our Hercules aircrews in support is the quickest means of getting a patient to the higher level of medical care."
In the second, a Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched to the Viking Cruises-owned 930-berth Viking Sun (built 2017) while it was sailing 230 miles offshore San Diego to lift a 68-year-old woman suffering from an apparent stroke.
The passenger was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and is in stable condition.
