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NEED TO KNOW
Video captured the Coast Guard performing the medevac of a cruise ship passenger
The individual was a 65-year-old man who suffered from multiple medical conditions
"I'm proud of the teamwork that resulted in a successful patient transport from the Celebrity Apex to a higher level of care," the co-pilot said
A video captured by the U.S. Coast Guard showed the heroic rescue of a cruise ship passenger near Puerto Rico.
In a Thursday, Dec. 11press release, the Department of Homeland Security shared footage of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk crew as they medevaced a Celebrity Apex cruise ship passenger, approximately 24 nautical miles north of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
The clip captured the sheer skill of the crew member as he hoisted a 65-year-old man who suffered from multiple medical conditions onto the helicopter as it was suspended above the 1004 ft. vessel on the open sea.
"I'm proud of the teamwork that resulted in a successful patient transport from the Celebrity Apex to a higher level of care," said Lt. Alberto Raymond, Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk aircraft co-pilot for the case.
"Thank you to the crews of the Celebrity Apex, our team in San Juan, and Air Station Borinquen. All our training is for moments like this, and I'm grateful we could help save a life," he continued.
The Celebrity Apex was sailing from St. Kitts to Port Canaveral, Fla., when the rescue took place.
At approximately 1:37 a.m. Thursday, Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan received a communication from the Celebrity Apex cruise ship requesting medevac services.
"After carefully assessing potential risks and hazards and the patient's information, vital signs and time-to-care considerations, the medevac request was granted and arranged to take place at sunrise," the press release said.
A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter was deployed, and a rescue swimmer with the aircrew went aboard the ship to further assess the situation.
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In addition to evacuating the 65-year-old passenger, cruise ship personnel assisted Coast Guard crew members in using a rescue basket to lift the patient's wife onboard the aircraft.
"Once the aircrew recovered their rescue swimmer, the patient and his wife were transported to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they were received by awaiting Emergency Medical Service personnel and transported to the Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan," per the press release.
PEOPLE reached out to Celebrity Cruises for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Celebrity Apex is a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star-rated resort at sea, and part of a fleet consisting of Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Beyond.
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