CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard medevaced an injured crewman aboard a commercial tug boat five miles from Rockport, Monday, in the intracoastal waterway.

Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector Corpus Christi received a report at 9 a.m., that a 20-year-old male aboard the commercial tug boat Billy Burkett had been injured and required immediate medical assistance.

Coast Guard Station Port Aransas launched a 25-foot Response Boat – Small and crew.  Air Station Corpus Christi diverted an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter and crew from a routine training mission.

The helicopter rescue crew arrived on scene at approximately 10 a.m. and lowered their rescue swimmer to the Billy Burkett.  The small boat crew assisted the rescue swimmer with assessing the injured man and moving him to a more ideal location for hoisting.

The helicopter rescue crew hoisted the injured man and transported him to awaiting emergency medical services at Columbia Memorial Hospital.

“We were able to get the rescue swimmer on scene quickly, and he recommended airlifting the man,” said Lt. Garret Barker, a Dolphin pilot at Air Station Corpus Christi.  “I am just glad we were able to help the injured crewmember today.”

The man’s condition is unknown.