SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico— Coast Guard air and surface assets rescued two fishermen aboard a disabled overdue fishing vessel in Mona Passage waters off Desecheo, Puerto Rico, Sunday night.
Rescued are a 47 and a 22-year-old man.
Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan received a communication from a person who reported an overdue 23-foot pleasure craft with two people onboard, Sunday evening. The caller relayed two fishermen departed a boat ramp near Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Saturday morning en route to the La Corona fishing ground. Later that evening, the overdue fishermen informed the reporting source that they were having engine problems.
Watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to alert the public and vessel traffic in the area. Watchstanders diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier and an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry while the Coast Guard Cutter Thetis also diverted to search.
Shortly thereafter, the Coast Guard aircrew observed a flare and two people waving their arms from a vessel matching the overdue vessel description, and they proceeded to vector-in the cutter Joseph Napier to the location. As the cutter arrived on scene 25 miles offshore, the crew observed a flare being launched from a vessel. The cutter’s small boat crew came alongside the vessel and confirmed the fishermen as the overdue. With deteriorating weather, heavy winds, scattered rain squalls, and seas building to eight feet, the Joseph Napier small boat crew took the vessel in tow to Mayaguez, where the fishermen were received by awaiting family and friends. No medical concerns were reported in this case.
“This case serves as a critical reminder for fishermen and boaters,” said Lt. John Groen, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier commanding officer. “These fishermen were prepared, and because they were prepared, they made it home safely. If they didn’t tell someone where they were going, or if they didn’t bring flares, then they might still be in the middle of Mona Passage on a disabled fishing boat. The sea is unforgiving, so always be prepared.”
Our U.S. Coast Guard crews stands ready to save lives, protect America’s waterways, and support safe maritime activity.
For the latest information on the grounding and response efforts, follow Sector San Juan.
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