CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Coast Guard medically evacuated an injured fisherman off the coast of Georgetown, S.C., Thursday.

Rescued was Alan Carl, 45, hometown unknown.

Search and rescue controllers at Coast Guard Sector Charleston were notified at 7:09 a.m., via VHF Channel 16, by Carl asking for medical assistance after sustaining an injury while fishing around the mouth of the North Santee River near Georgetown.

A Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew from Air Facility Charleston arrived on scene at 8:09 a.m. and transported the victim to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

Mariners are encouraged to invest in a VHF-FM radio as their primary means of distress alerting on the water.  Communication via VHF-FM radio provides superior alerting capabilities over cellular phones.