Coast Guard rescues 2 kayakers off Ocean Park Beach, Puerto Rico

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 12/02/2019 12:50 PM EST

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Contact: Coast Guard Puerto Rico PA Office
Office: 787-729-2381
After Hours: 787-510-7923
7th District Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands online newsroom

Coast Guard rescues 2 kayakers off Ocean Park Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico

A Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew rescued two kayakers Dec. 1, 2019, in waters just off Ocean Park Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The crew of a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Air Station Borinquen rescued two kayakers Dec. 1, 2019, in waters just of Ocean Park Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The two men rescued were tourists from the United States, who relayed a distress call to 911 by using a smart watch, and they reported being in the water for several hours without lifejackets after both kayaks had sunk after taking on water.     The crew of a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Air Station Borinquen rescued two kayakers Dec. 1, 2019, in waters just of Ocean Park Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The two men rescued were tourists from the United States, who relayed a distress call to 911 by using a smart watch, and they reported being in the water for several hours without lifejackets after both kayaks had sunk after taking on water.  

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

Coast Guard advises to heed small craft, high surf advisories for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The crew of a Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescued two kayakers Sunday morning, in waters just of Ocean Park Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The two men rescued were reported to be tourists, who used a smart watch to relay a distress call to 911, and reported being in the water for several hours after both kayaks began taking on water and ended up sinking.

Watchstanders at Sector San Juan diverted a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to the scene, while a Puerto Rico Joint Forces of Rapid Action helicopter also responded. The two kayakers were initially spotted by the crew of the Police helicopter, who vectored in the Coast Guard aircraft to their location.

The Coast Guard aircrew lowered their rescue swimmer and deployed the aircraft rescue basket that was utilized to hoist and recover both men from the water. The men were transported to the Isla Grande Airport in San Juan, where they were received by Emergency Medical Service personnel, and were released to friends after declining further medical assistance.

“The kayakers are very fortunate to have survived,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Hornbruch, an Air Station Borinquen aviation survival technician. “The survivors were able to use a smart watch to communicate with 911 and Coast Guard watchstanders. After their kayaks sank, they were treading water in unfavorable sea conditions due to not having lifejackets. We commend our Sector San Juan watchstanders and the Puerto Rico Police aircrew, who did an excellent job assisting our crew with the rescue effort.”

---WARNING---

Coast Guard advises people to pay close attention to high-surf and small craft advisories that are currently in effect for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

A northerly swell continues to move into the local Atlantic waters and passages, associated with a strong low pressure system in the Atlantic. Hazardous marine conditions are expected well into Tuesday for much of our local waters.    


There is a Small Craft Advisory in effect though Tuesday for coastal waters of southern U.S. Virgin Islands. Vieques and Eastern Puerto Rico out 10 nautical miles.  For Monday, southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, seas 6 to 8 feet with occasional seas up to 10 feet. Northeast swell 4 to 8 feet National Weather Service Marine Forecast for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as of 4 a.m. Monday.

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter.

-USCG-