SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A Coast Guard Station San Juan boat crew rescued two persons from the water, Monday, after their personal watercraft was overturned near Icacos Beach off Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
The rescue occurred during Coast Guard and partner agency Operation Dry Water efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this past Labor Day weekend.
Coast Guard watchstanders received a report via a VHF Channel 16 radio communication of two people in distress following an overturned personal watercraft, Monday evening. Watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard 33-foot Special Purpose Craft – Law Enforcement vessel and crew that was operating in the vicinity to render assistance. Once on scene, the Coast Guard crew embarked the two boaters and took the personal watercraft in tow to Las Croabas in Fajardo. Following the rescue, both persons were cited for negligent operations and for boating under the influence of alcohol.
In a separate incident Sunday night, Coast Guard Sector San Juan Boarding Team members cited a person for negligent operations and for boating under the influence of alcohol while operating a dingy at high speed in a no wake zone in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.
Coast Guard, Puerto Rico Police Joint Force of Rapid Action, and Department of Natural and Environmental Resources law enforcement units conducted 54 boardings which resulted in the three cases of boating under the influence.
“We thank and commend all Coast Guard and partner agency units and personnel who collaborated during interagency Operation Dry Water efforts in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands this holiday weekend,” said Lt. Commander Ray Lopez, Coast Guard Sector San Juan Operation Dry Water incident commander. “We remind everyone that boating under the influence is illegal. If you plan on drinking, you should have a designated qualified person who is not under the influence responsible for operating the vessel. Our goal is for everyone to enjoy a safe day in the water. Boating under the influence puts your life, the life of the people in your vessel, and the rest of the boating public at risk.”
U.S. Coast Guard statistics reveal alcohol continued to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2024, accounting for 92 deaths, or 20% of total fatalities. The full 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics Report released, Tuesday, is available at USCGBoating.org.
During the 2024 Operation Dry Water campaign, officers across the country removed 584 impaired boat operators from the water, helping to prevent potentially life-threatening incidents. (Operation Dry Water national results for 2024)
Operating a boat with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher is against federal and most states’ laws. Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time. It can also increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion.
The Coast Guard offers the following tips to help you enjoy a safe time on the water:
● Wear a life jacket. Make sure that there is at least one properly fitted life jacket for every passenger and that the life jackets are readily accessible if not worn. All children under 13 must always wear a life jacket.
● Don’t drink and boat. Aside from wearing a life jacket, not drinking and boating is one of the easiest ways to prevent accidental deaths on the water. People operating vessels under the influence of alcohol, drugs or impairing medication pose a serious threat to you and anyone else aboard.
● File a float plan. Before you get underway, leave information about your trip with a family member or a friend on shore. Include information that would help rescuers in case of an emergency—how many people are on board, where you are going, how long you will be out, and a description of your boat.
● Inspect your boat and equipment. Make sure your navigation equipment—particularly your navigational lights, if you plan to be out at night—is in good working order. Carry fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, charts of the area and an anchor. Get a free safety inspection from the Coast Guard Auxiliary to make sure you have all the gear and safety equipment required by your state and federal laws.
● Equip your boat with an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). An EPIRB is a safety device that automatically transmits an emergency signal when it is placed or floating in an upright position. The signal allows the Coast Guard and other agencies to pinpoint your location.
● Carry a portable weatherproof marine band radio. Cell phones may go out of range or lose battery power when needed most. The Coast Guard, other agencies, and other boaters monitor marine band radios, increasing the number of people who can respond if you’re in trouble.
● Take a boating safety course. Approximately 80 percent of boating deaths occur on boats where the operator had no formal boating safety instruction. The Coast Guard recommends that all boaters take a safety class and a refresher every five years. The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers low-cost boating safety courses.
● Check the weather. Check daily weather reports or listen to a marine band radio for sudden changes in weather conditions.
For breaking news, follow us on X (formerly Twitter). For additional information, find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.
Make a difference on land, at sea or in the air with the Coast Guard. Visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn more about active duty and reserve, officer and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here.