Coast Guard air crews rescued two fishermen after their 24-foot vessel ran out of fuel and hit heavy seas 5 miles south of Desecheo Island off the west coast of Puerto Rico Dec. 28.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector San Juan headquarters were alerted when they received an unregistered digital selective calling alert around1 p.m., Saturday, followed by a phone call from a good Samaritan reporting a disabled vessel near Desecheo Island, according to a Coast Guard statement.
The uninhabited island lies off Rincón in the Mona Passage. Renown as a surfing and diving destination, the region is known for swift currents and challenging sea conditions.
Watchstanders then received a distress call through VHF channel 16 around 4 p.m., from the two men reporting they had activated the DSC on their marine radio.
The two men were spotted aboard their disabled vessel by an Air Station Borinquen Coast Guard Auxiliary airplane aircrew. Next, a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Borinquen arrived on scene and found both men wearing life jackets aboard their vessel around 5 p.m.
In about five minutes after the Jayhawk crew arrived the boat capsized after taking on water from a wave in 6- to 8-foot seas and 25 to 30 knot winds. Assisted by a rescue swimmer, both fishermen were hoisted to the helicopter and flown to the Borinquen air station without injuries, Coast Guard officials said.
“Our crews worked together to conduct the rescue safely and efficiently with the best possible outcome," said Lt. David Tirado Tolosa, the Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-60 aircraft commander. “Emergencies at sea can happen at any given moment. We recommend all mariners wear their life jackets and carry a marine grade radio as these men did, in case they encounter an unexpected situation at sea.”
