Coast Guard crews airlift man, 19, experiencing chest pains on shrimping boat off Egmont Key

ST. PETERSBURG — The Coast Guard airlifted a 19-year-old man Wednesday from a 78-foot shrimping boat, seven miles west of Egmont Key, after he was experiencing chest pains.

Around 10:07 a.m., Coast Guard crews received a radio call from the captain of a shrimping boat named Sea Rider, reporting that one of his crew members was experiencing chest pains and was in need of emergency medical assistance, officials said in a news release.

A flight surgeon was notified and recommended the 19-year-old man be airlifted to a local hospital. An 87-foot Coast Guard cutter and a 45-foot response boat aided the rescue.He was transferred in stable condition.

"When the shrimping crew found themselves in a medical emergency, they immediately communicated their distress," said Zach Wilson, a crew member aboard the Cutter Tarpon. "It helped both boat crews seamlessly coordinate to assist the individual in need."