An Oregon-based Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a 67-year-old man who suffered a possible stroke nearly 200 miles offshore.

The crew, flying an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, picked the man up from the cruise ship Explorer of the Seas, which was in the middle of a nearly six-day trip from Seattle to Hawaii, according to its itinerary.

A C-27 Spartan airplane from Sacramento was also launched to facilitate communications.

The ship's crew requested a medical evacuation around 2 p.m. when the man appeared to be suffering a diabetic emergency and showed signs of a stroke.

Once the helicopter arrived at the Astoria Airport, a second air ambulance took the man to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland. His condition was not disclosed.

-- Elliot Njus