Coast Guard, Puerto Rico Emergency Management crews rescue 3 persons from capsized watercraft just off "Isla de Cabras" Toa Baja, Puerto Rico

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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, Puerto Rico Emergency Management crews rescue 3 persons from capsized watercraft just off "Isla de Cabras" Toa Baja, Puerto Rico

A Coast Guard Boat Station San Juan boat crew and Station San Juan 33-foot Special Purpose Craft in a group photo Dec 9, 2020, the day after responding alongside Puerto Rico Emergency Management watercraft units to rescue three persons from capsized watercraft in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. The Coast Guard boat crew recovered a woman from the water, while the PREMA units rescued the remaining riders, a man and a woman, from the water. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ricardo Castrodad)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Coast Guard Station and Puerto Rico Emergency Management crews rescued three persons Tuesday night from a capsized watercraft just off “Isla de Cabras” Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.

“This was a challenging rescue and time was of the essence, since it was dark and the waves were breaking so close to shore,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Timothy DaSilva, Station San Juan boatswains mate and coxswain for the case. “I am very grateful for having an experienced crew and commend them and the responding Puerto Rico Emergency Management crews for their decisive actions which helped save three lives.” 

Coast Guard watchstanders in San Juan, Puerto Rico received notification from a 911 emergency operator at 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, who reported three people were clinging on to a capsized personal watercraft near “Isla de Cabras”.

Watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and 33-foot Special Purpose Craft from Station San Juan to search for and rescue any persons in the water. Puerto Rico Emergency Management watercraft units also responded to the scene.

Shortly thereafter, the Station San Juan crew arrived on scene and located the capsized watercraft and the three riders inside the wave break.  The Station San Juan crew threw rescue lines that reached a female rider, who they safely recovered from the water.  Two Puerto Rico Emergency Management watercraft units that also arrived on scene and rescued the two other riders, a man and a woman, from the water.

“I feel very happy and thankful to the responding units, they arrived quickly and did a great job in rescuing and bringing me and my friends to safety,” said Daniela Viveros, watercraft rider rescued by the Coast Guard boat crew.

The rescued riders, reported to be adults, were all wearing life jackets.

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-USCG-