| Release #: 11-05 |
| Release date: November 6, 2003 |
| Contact: Ensign Eric Willis |
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Six people rescued after being thrown overboard during tow |
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A Coast Guard helicopter rescued one person, and a Good Samaritan vessel five others off the northeast coast of Puerto Rico yesterday after they fell off their vessel as it was being towed. After running out of fuel late yesterday, the 19-passenger recreational boat with 6 passengers aboard, arranged a commercial tow from Sea Rescue. Sometime during the tow, the master of the tow vessel noticed everyone was missing and notified Forces United for Rapid Action. FURA relayed the information to the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center in San Juan who immediately launched an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Borinquen and a rescue crew from Station San Juan to search for the missing people. Also, a Good Samaritan vessel from Sea Tow began searching on their own. The Sea Rescue tow vessel continued on to the marina.
The Coast Guard helicopter located all six people standing on a reef in 4 feet of water. The rescue swimmer was lowered to the victims and one person was airlifted to receive medical attention while the helicopter guided waterside assistance to the scene. The Sea Tow vessel was the first boat to arrive and rendered immediate assistance to the five remaining persons in the water until the Coast Guard small boat arrived. All persons were reunited ashore and told of falling overboard when the tow began. The Search and Rescue portion of the case was closed however; the Marine Safety Office in San Juan will be investigating the incident further.
"We are extremely relieved that we were able to rescue these individuals," said Ens. Eric Willis, public affairs officer for the Coast Guard Greater Antilles Section. "Because they weren't wearing life jackets, they are very fortunate that they were close enough to a shallow reef to stand on, otherwise this case may not have had the happy ending it did."
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