Coast Guard Airlifts Stricken Polish Sailor
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A Polish sailor suffering abdominal pains was airlifted from his ship in the Pacific Ocean to a Torrance hospital Sunday after U.S. Coast Guard officials successfully overcame a language barrier, authorities said.
A 250-foot Polish research vessel, the Profesor Bogucki, radioed for help Saturday afternoon, but assistance was delayed because the crew’s thick accents made communication difficult, said Coast Guard Lt. Nick Stagliano.
As the vessel headed toward the mainland, a Coast Guard rescue helicopter was dispatched from Long Beach to the ship, 30 miles offshore in international waters south of Catalina Island, officials said.
The sailor, Zbigniew Brauer, 28, was taken to Torrance Memorial Hospital where a nursing supervisor said he was in fair condition.
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