ST THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands – Coast Guard Boat Forces Unit U.S. Virgin Islands, St Thomas Rescue and St John Rescue marine units rescued a boater following a vessel fire near St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Sunday.
Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan received a radio call on Channel 16 at approximately 5:15 p.m. from an aircraft reporting a vessel fire, approximately 12 nautical miles south of St. Thomas.
Watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and a Boat Forces Unit U.S. Virgin Islands 33-foot Special Purpose craft-Law Enforcement to respond and search for signs of distress. Watchstanders also notified St. Thomas Rescue and St Thomas 911 and they issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to alert vessel traffic in the area.
Shortly thereafter, the Coast Guard vessel, a St Thomas Rescue marine unit and a St. John Rescue unit arrived on scene locating the boater floating and clinging to an overturned dinghy. The Coast Guard boat crew recovered the boater, who informed being the sole passenger aboard the 45-foot catamaran, Abundance, which sank after the fire. The survivor was transferred to a Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services crew, who transported him to Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas.
“A life was saved thanks to the prompt communication from the aircrew who spotted the vessel fire and the swift response from our Coast Guard units, St Thomas Rescue and partner agency units to rescue and aide a boater in distress,” said Chief Petty Officer Adam Rice, officer in charge, Coast Guard Boat Forces Unit U.S. Virgin Islands. “A vessel fire is one of the most dangerous emergencies a mariner can face. We are grateful for the rapid response and the successful outcome.”
Our U.S. Coast Guard Puerto Rico 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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