Posted:
April 23, 2019
The crew of the Impeccable, led in the effort by Chief Mate Gregory Steele and Second Mate Nathan Free, put their medical training into practice to save a Military Sealift Command technician who suffered an apparent heart attack while the vessel was docked in Japan.
The quick actions of the entire American Maritime Officers and Seafarers International Union crew undoubtedly saved the heart attack victim's life, said Captain Mark Paine.
"The response from the IMPECCABLE Team was amazing ... whether by hands-on CPR, helping to carry the victim to the gangway, or the constant verbal support given by the STWD Assistant and Chief Cook to 'Hang in there. You're going to make it,'" he said.
The Impeccable was berthed at Yokohama and was scheduled to receive software upgrades to its bridge computers that morning by an MSC IT technician when the incident occurred, Paine said.
Second Mate Free was sitting next to the IT Technician when he observed the man was slouched over. Free called Captain Paine, who immediately called emergency services when the technician was found to be non-responsive. Meanwhile, Chief Mate Steele arrived on the scene and, upon discerning the technician did not have a pulse or show any signs of breathing, began administering CPR.
SIU member Donald Dabbs of the ship's Medical Department arrived shortly after with the AED and, combining with the CPR efforts of Steele, resuscitated the victim after 10 minutes. Steele continued to administer CPR until members of the local fire department and an off-base ambulance arrived on the dock and took over the rescue.
Crewmembers also assisted in carrying the technician to the gangway, where he was crane-lifted off the vessel to a stretcher on the dock.
The technician was transported to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment and is recovering, Paine said. The technician underwent immediate, successful surgery and later e-mailed the Impeccable crew, thanking them for saving his life, Paine said.
Steele said it was a team effort and everyone remained calm and focused on saving the technician's life.
"I think we are all grateful we were able to be there to help," he said.
Crew of USNS Impeccable saves a life
The crew of the USNS Impeccable in April included A/B John Hampton, Oiler Tiana Evans, First Assistant Engineer William Daily, O/S David Pelczmann, Oiler Devin Gordon, S/A Lekesha Stevenson, Chief Engineer Robert Vaughan, Third A.E. Victor Guettlein, O/S Cole Vose, Steward Barbara McDonald, MDR Donald Dabbs, Second A.E. Kyle Kozak, Captain Mark Paine, Oiler Joshua Leonor, Cook Mary Stevenson, Chief Mate Gregory Steele, Third Mate Shawn Dishop and Second Mate Nathan Free. The USNS Impeccable is operated for Military Sealift Command by Crowley Liner Services and is manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
The U.S. Merchant Marine has a traditional and ongoing role in providing vital support to the U.S. Armed Forces deployed across the globe. That role became a successful lifesaving effort aboard the USNS Impeccable on April 15.The crew of the Impeccable, led in the effort by Chief Mate Gregory Steele and Second Mate Nathan Free, put their medical training into practice to save a Military Sealift Command technician who suffered an apparent heart attack while the vessel was docked in Japan.
The quick actions of the entire American Maritime Officers and Seafarers International Union crew undoubtedly saved the heart attack victim's life, said Captain Mark Paine.
"The response from the IMPECCABLE Team was amazing ... whether by hands-on CPR, helping to carry the victim to the gangway, or the constant verbal support given by the STWD Assistant and Chief Cook to 'Hang in there. You're going to make it,'" he said.
The Impeccable was berthed at Yokohama and was scheduled to receive software upgrades to its bridge computers that morning by an MSC IT technician when the incident occurred, Paine said.
Second Mate Free was sitting next to the IT Technician when he observed the man was slouched over. Free called Captain Paine, who immediately called emergency services when the technician was found to be non-responsive. Meanwhile, Chief Mate Steele arrived on the scene and, upon discerning the technician did not have a pulse or show any signs of breathing, began administering CPR.
SIU member Donald Dabbs of the ship's Medical Department arrived shortly after with the AED and, combining with the CPR efforts of Steele, resuscitated the victim after 10 minutes. Steele continued to administer CPR until members of the local fire department and an off-base ambulance arrived on the dock and took over the rescue.
Crewmembers also assisted in carrying the technician to the gangway, where he was crane-lifted off the vessel to a stretcher on the dock.
The technician was transported to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment and is recovering, Paine said. The technician underwent immediate, successful surgery and later e-mailed the Impeccable crew, thanking them for saving his life, Paine said.
Steele said it was a team effort and everyone remained calm and focused on saving the technician's life.
"I think we are all grateful we were able to be there to help," he said.