DATE: April 28, 2009 10:08:59 AM EDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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News Release

Date: April 28, 2009

Contact: Ricardo Castrodad

Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist

(787) 510-7923

Coast Guard suspends search for woman of capsized vessel in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Coast Guard rescue crews suspended their search Monday night for a woman who fell into the water alongside three men after their vessel capsized Sunday afternoon in waters south of Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Still missing is a 45 year-old woman, U.S. citizen residing in Saint Croix, who was not wearing a life jacket and was last seen by one of the survivors swimming towards shore.

Coast Guard Boat forces in Saint Croix were initially notified of the incident by the U.S. Virgin Islands Police at approximately 7 p.m. Sunday. The boaters where reportedly traveling aboard a 26-foot Mariner when they experienced engine problems prior to their vessel capsizing and sinking in waters northwest of Ruth Island, Saint Croix, approximately 800 yards from shore.   

Two of the passengers were able to swim to shore and seek assistance from a local fisherman, who was able to get underway and rescue the third man from the water.  The third man was taken to the Juan F. Luis Hospital in Saint Croix to receive medical care.

Since the search efforts began Sunday, Coast Guard rescue crews aboard HH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station Borinquen, a 25-foot response boat from Boat Forces Saint Croix, and a Coast Guard Auxiliary fixed-wing aircraft from Saint Thomas conducted a total of nine searches spanning out more than 600 nautical square miles throughout the search area.

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