Coast Guard, Navy, British Royal Navy searching for vessel near Vieques after Maria

 

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard MIAMI Office: 305-415-6683 786-367-7649 U.S. Coast Guard  PUERTO RICO Office: 787-729-2381 787-510-7923 Press inquiries: MariaUSCGD7@gmail.com 786-254-6316

Coast Guard, Navy, British Royal Navy searching for vessel near Vieques after Maria

 

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MIAMI -- Coast Guard, Navy and British Royal Navy crews are searching Thursday for a vessel that went missing near Vieques, Puerto Rico Wednesday.

The vessel Ferrel, with two adults and two children, lost communications with Coast Guard watchstanders Wednesday. 

Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders received an alert via emergency position indicating radio beacon and then a distress call Wednesday from the Ferrel stating they were disabled and adrift in 20-foot seas and 100-knot winds. The Coast Guard lost contact with the vessel due to weather.

An urgent marine information broadcast was issued immediately after the distress call.

Coast Guard, Navy and British Royal Navy crews are conducting search operations with the following crews:

• A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules search plane
• A Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter
• The U.S.S. Kearsarge 
• A Navy MH-60 helicopter
• The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Mounts Bay with a search and rescue helicopter and an embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team 101

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-USCG-

IMPORTANT LINKS

Official U.S. Coast Guard Hurricane Maria Response News

Official U.S. Coast Guard Hurricane Maria video and imagery

FEMA Hurricane Maria resources