U.S. Coast Guard Medevacs Crewmember After Fumigant Accident

On Sunday morning, crew members from Coast Guard Station Port Angeles medevaced a 29-year-old Chinese crewmember from the freighter Great Fluency in the Straight of Juan De Fuca, Washington.

At approximately 0720, Coast Guard District 13 watch standers received a call for assistance from the Great Fluency. The Fluency reported that a member of their crew had been exposed to phosphine gas, a common chemical aboard vessels of this type. Coast Guard crew members aboard a response boat launched from Station Port Angeles at 0807 and arrived on scene at 0845.

The man was reportedly nauseous but able to climb down a pilot ladder without assistance. He was safely transferred to emergency medical technicians standing by at Station Port Angeles, who then transported him to Olympic Medical Center for further medical attention.

Phosphine gas is commonly used as a fumigant to control pests in agricultural cargoes, and it is highly toxic.

The 60,000 dwt Great Fluency is flagged and owned in Hong Kong. As of Sunday night, she had exited the Strait of Juan de Fuca and continued her voyage, headed south for Costa Rica.