A U.S. Coast Guard rescue crew today rescued an ill 27-year-old woman one mile south of Nawiliwili Harbor.

The Coast Guard said it received a request for medical assistance at 9 a.m. from the owner of the fishing vessel Ann Melia concerning a woman suffering complications from diabetes.

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu search and rescue coordinators immediately launched a 31-foot rescue boat crew from Station Kauai to the scene.

"There were almost 10-foot waves out there today — it was really rough," said Fireman Joseph Rasich, a rescue crewman at Station Kauai and first responder in the case. "We didn't want to risk transferring her to our boat, so I leaped onto her boat in order to provide assistance."

Rasich provided first aid to the woman on the Ann Melia while en route to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at Nawiliwili Harbor.