DSP News Release: Victim Hoisted from Ship Following 20 Foot Fall  

Location: 

• Slaughter Beach, Delaware
• Approximately 5 miles off the Coast

DATE and TIME:  

• Tuesday May 3, 2011

Victim(s):

• Leovie Cauite-54 Philippines

Oil Tanker:

• The Cosmic (Greek tanker) 
• Contracted by Delaware Valley Marine

Assisting Agencies:

• Delaware State Police Trooper 4 Helicopter
• State Fire Service
• Wilmington Police Department
• Slaughter Beach Fire Department
• Lewes Fire Department 
• Sussex County Paramedics
• Delaware Bay Launch Service
• United States Coast Guard

Resume:

Slaughter Beach-Today around 11:55 a.m. the Sussex County 911 Center received an emergency call from an oil tanker approximately 5 miles off the coast of Slaughter Beach Delaware. 

The 911 Center was advised by the ship’s Captain that a crew member, Leovie Caguite-54 of the Philippines had fallen some 20 feet down a cargo hole and struck his head. 

The Chief of the Slaughter Beach Fire Department immediately activated the Delaware Air Rescue Team “DART”.  DART members consist of Volunteer fire personnel specifically trained to perform rescues from the rear of Delaware State Police Helicopters. 

Rescue agencies consisting of: Delaware State Police Aviation, the State Fire Service, Wilmington Police Department, Slaughter Beach Fire Department, Sussex County Paramedics, Lewes Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard all played a hand in today’s rescue efforts.  

It took approximately 25 minutes for the Delaware Bay Launch Service to transport a Sussex County Paramedic via boat to the Cosmic, a Greek oil tanker, to assist Caguite with his injuries.  Once on board the Cosmic the Sussex County Paramedic “back boarded” the patient for transport.  Delaware State Police Trooper-4 helicopter then lowered medical personnel from the Lewes Fire Department to the ship via a hoist. 

Once the hoist arrived on the deck of the Cosmic, Caguite and the Lewes Fire Department personnel were hoisted back to Trooper 4.  Trooper 4 then transported the patient to the Slaughter Beach boat ramp where he was stabilized by Slaughter Beach ambulance personnel for further transport.