Tropic Air Rescue Provides Helicopter Medevac When Time Counts in The Bahamas

Given its proximity to Florida, The Bahamas has long been a go-to destination for cruising enthusiasts, anglers, and superyacht owners. Its beaches and crystal-clear waters make it feel as if you’re a thousand miles away. Although not truly that remote, some of the islands are far from advanced medical care. When specialized treatment is urgent, medevac saves time—and, in extreme cases, lives. Tropic Air Rescue strives to provide yacht owners and crews with rapid response and peace of mind with its helicopter-based medical service.

The founder of Tropic Air Rescue is Anthony Marinello (above), a New Jersey State Police helicopter pilot for 27 years. He’s further the president and owner of Tropic Air Charters, which for three decades has provided passenger and cargo service between The Bahamas and Florida. Operating as an arm of the charter company, Tropic Air Rescue is FAA-certified as a helicopter air ambulance. It’s reportedly the only dedicated such service serving the islands. This sets it apart from clearinghouse-based programs, where an available aircraft search only starts after an emergency call arrives. This risks losing precious time, potentially hours to more than a day. Additionally, many medevac services rely on planes. Helicopters have the advantage of being able to land on islands lacking runways. Only 61 of the 700 Bahamian islands have landing strips.

Here’s how it works. Tropic Air Rescue operates on a membership model, offering coverage around your stay length. Per-person, per-day plans are available, for instance, as are family plans for a year. So, too, are full yacht and megayacht plans, which require a three-month minimum. In an emergency, it sends a helicopter with a pilot and paramedics who have critical-care experience. Simultaneously, its medical director assesses which Florida-based hospital best suits the situation, then instructs the helicopter to head there. The company’s medical-command physician stays in contact with a coordinating physician at the hospital while the helicopter is en route. Furthermore, the company doesn’t charge out of pocket. Instead, it files a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement.

With superyacht owners and guests wanting to cruise farther and stay away longer, medical planning is becoming as practical as provisioning.

Tropic Air Rescue tropicairrescue.com