Coast Guard boat crew rescues 2 watercraft riders near Hans Lollik Islands just off Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/16/2018 12:00 PM EDT

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Coast Guard boat crew rescues 2 watercraft riders near Hans Lollik Islands just off Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

The boat crew of a Coast Guard 33-foot Special Purpose Craft – Law Enforcement from Boat Forces Saint Thomas rescued two boaters from a disabled personal watercraft that was taking on water just off the Hans Lollik Islands near Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands July 14, 2018. The watercraft operator was able to transmit a MAYDAY call on channel 16 via a portable VHF marine radio that allowed Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan to coordinate their rescue. The boat crew of a Coast Guard 33-foot Special Purpose Craft – Law Enforcement from Boat Forces Saint Thomas rescued two boaters from a disabled personal watercraft that was taking on water just off the Hans Lollik Islands near Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands July 14, 2018. The watercraft operator was able to transmit a MAYDAY call on channel 16 via a portable VHF marine radio that allowed Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan to coordinate their rescue.

SAINT THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands - The boat crew of a Coast Guard 33-fooy Special Purpose Craft – Law Enforcement rescued 2 persons from a disabled personal watercraft near Hans Lollik Islands Saturday in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Rescued are a man and a woman, who were in distress after their personal watercraft lost propulsion and began taking on water half way between Salt Pond, Saint Thomas and the Hans Lollik Islands.

Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan received a MAYDAY transmission on VHF-Channel 16 from the operator of the personal watercraft who reported the situation.

Watchstanders proceeded to launch a Coast Guard MH-65D Dolphin rescue helicopter and divert the 33-foot SPC-LE boat crew from Boat Forces Saint Thomas to search.

The Coast Guard boat crew arrived in the area of the distress and within 15 minutes located the two persons in the water with their partially submerged watercraft, approximately a quarter mile west of Hans Lollick.  The boat crew embarked the two persons, recovered the personal watercraft and then placed it in tow.  The rescued and the watercraft were then transported to the Salt Pond boat ramp.

“It was a group effort -- I am glad the operator had the presence of mind to operate his jet ski with a working radio on board,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Bider, Coast Guard Boat Forces Saint Thomas coxswain.  “His decision to practice safe boating played a critical role in creating a swift response from of the Sector San Juan command center and our boat crew.”

No injuries, medical concerns or signs of pollution were reported in this case.

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-USCG-