Watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston received a report around 10pm Friday that a 54-year-old man aboard the fishing boat Ole Betts Sea was semi-catatonic, not responding and in need of immediate assistance. They were 108 miles away from the island.
USCG launched crews aboard multiple vessels, including a rescue helicopter from Houston, a jet from Corpus Christi and a boat -- the USCG Cutter Decisive -- out of Mississippi, which happened to be on law enforcement patrol in area.
A health services technician from the Decisive went aboard the fishing boat just after midnight to check the man's medical condition. The helicopter rescue crew then arrived on scene and hoisted him into the helicopter.
Officials said the man had an erratic pulse and was not breathing during the flight back. They performed CPR until they arrived at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston where the man was pronounced dead on arrival.
Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Smith, a watchstander at Sector Houston-Galveston, expressed his sympathy in a release Saturday.
"Our heartfelt condolences are with the man's family and friends during this difficult time," he said
