SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Coast Guard watchstanders and a Customs and Border Protection marine unit rescued a capsized kayaker off the coast of Salinas, Puerto Rico, Monday.
The rescued man is a man from Aibonito, Puerto Rico, who reportedly was fishing when a wave caused his kayak to capsize, approximately half a mile offshore in three to four-foot seas.
Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan received a call at 3:35 p.m., Monday, from a 911 Emergency Service operator reporting a capsized kayaker and a broad general location off the coast of Salinas. Before all the information could be obtained from the reporting source, the call dropped and could not be reestablished. Watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter, issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to mariners and notified Puerto Rico Emergency Management, Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and Police Joint Force of Rapid Action of the distress situation.
A CBP marine unit in the vicinity of the distress overheard the Coast Guard Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and responded to search for the kayaker. While searching for the kayaker, the CBP marine unit came upon a floating cooler from the kayak, which shortly thereafter led them to finding the man, who was in the water wearing a lifejacket and clinging on to his kayak. The CBP crew recovered the man and his kayak and transported them to a nearby pier, where awaiting Emergency Medical Service personnel aided the man. No medical concerns were reported in this case.
"We are proud of the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by our Marine Interdiction Agents during this rescue operation," said Christopher Hunter, Director of CBP Air and Marine Operations in the Caribbean. The successful outcome is a testament to the strong partnership between Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard and underscores our shared commitment to safeguarding lives and supporting our local communities. Quick coordination, effective communication, and the use of proper safety equipment made all the difference in ensuring a safe recovery of this man. We remain vigilant and ready to respond whenever duty calls,"
"This was a great case which highlights the importance of partnership collaboration and having proper safety equipment and clear communications in an emergency distress situation," said CDR. Matthew Romano, Sector San Juan chief of response. "The effective coordination between our Coast Guard watchstanders and responding units and the swift response from the CBP marine crew was instrumental in quickly finding and rescuing the distressed kayaker from a difficult situation."
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