UPDATE: 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

UPDATE: Coast Guard British Royal Navy locate vessel near Vieques after Maria, rescue three

Correction: The rescue took place at 11:30 a.m., not p.m. as previously stated. 

MIAMI -- A British Royal Navy helicopter crew rescued three mariners Thursday from the vessel Ferrel which was located near Vieques, Puerto Rico.

An adult male mariner was reported deceased in the capsized vessel which is inaccessible to search and rescue crews.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules search plane located the vessel overturned with three mariners on top at approximately 11:30 a.m.  A Royal Fleet Auxiliary Mounts Bay rescue helicopter was vectored to the vessel and hoisted one adult female and two children. 

Coast Guard, Navy and British Royal Navy participated in this operation 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
• A Customs and Border Protection P-3 search plane

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.

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

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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