Coast Guard crew rescues 2 boaters from capsized vessel off Culebra, Puerto Rico

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 01/31/2019 12:07 PM EST

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U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Contact: Coast Guard Puerto Rico PA Office
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Coast Guard crew rescues 2 boaters from capsized vessel off Culebra, Puerto Rico


A Coast Guard Boat Forces Saint Thomas 33-foot Special Purpose Craft – Law Enforcement is moored at the Marine Safety Detachment pier in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, after the vessel's crew rescued two U.S. citizens Jan. 31, 2019, approximately five nautical miles off Culebra, Puerto Rico. The boaters, who survived a capsized vessel, transported to Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where they were evaluated by Emergency Medical Services in Saint Thomas and placed in contact with their families.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A Coast Guard 33-Special Purpose Craft - Law Enforcement crew, from Boat Forces Detachment Saint Thomas, rescued two U.S. citizens after their vessel capsized in waters southeast of Culebra, Puerto Rico.

Rescued are Jesus Estrada Cruz, 30, and Luis Carmona Osorio, 26, who were forced into the water after their vessel began taking on water and capsized, approximately five nautical miles southeast of Culebra, PuertoRico.

“This rescue was a success thanks to the work and coordination between the Coast Guard units involved,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class George E. Abreu, Boat Forces Saint Thomas Coxswain. “We advise mariners to always be aware of their boat limitations and the sea states prior to getting underway, as well as always having enough life jackets for every all the persons onboard.  If these boaters did not have their life jackets or a means of communication, it is possible they would have not been found.”

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan received a call at 3a.m.Thursday from a Saint Thomas 911 emergency operator, who relayed a report from the distressed boaters.  Both persons were wearing lifejackets when they were forced to abandon the vessel.

Watchstanders launched a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Borinquen and the 33-foot Special Purpose Craft – Law Enforcement to find and rescue the persons in the water. 

The Coast Guard helicopter and boat crew arrived on seen and located both persons in the water.  The Coast Guard boat crew recovered the survivors, provided them with blankets and transported them to Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where they were evaluated by Emergency Medical Service personnel and placed in contact with their families.

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