APETAHI EXPRESS

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Medevac off Tahiti

A passenger in respiratory distress who was aboard the 'Apetahi Express' en route from Huahine to Moorea, was medevaced by helicopter on Sep 11, 2025. At 8:52 a.m., the JRCC Tahiti received a VHF radio call from the ferry, reporting a passenger with breathing difficulties. The JRCC Tahiti immediately took over coordination of the medical assistance operationand initiated a conference call involving the JRCC, the emergency medical services (EMS), and the ship. Following the instructions given by the EMS doctor, the ship's captain administered first aid to the passenger, with the support of a doctor who was among the passengers. The medical information provided by the captain led the emergency medical services doctor to decide on an immediate medical evacuation. After analyzing the available options and considering the critical condition of the patient, the JRCC Tahiti requested the deployment of the inter-administration Dauphin helicopter at 9:41 a.m. At the same time, the JRCC Tahiti asked the 'Apetahi Express' to change course in order to reduce the distance from the helicopter. At 10:20 a.m., the Dauphin embarked the medical team at the French Polynesia Hospital Center and headed toward the ship, then more than 45 nautical miles from Tahiti. After being hoisted aboard the ship, the medical team treated the patient, whose condition had deteriorated significantly. He was finally taken to the CHPF at 11:34 a.m.