Coast Guard and Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces air crews rescued three federal agents and two boaters during a search and rescue response to two vessel capsizes off Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, March 31.
Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan received a communication from Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday, reporting a capsized vessel off Isla de Cabras. The watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to alert vessel traffic in the area and directed the launch of a Station San Juan 45-foot Response Boat Medium and a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter to provide rescue assistance.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch marine unit and a Puerto Rico Police Joint Force of Rapid Action (FURA) helicopter also responded.
Soon a Good Samaritan reported seeing a 22’ capsized vessel and two people holding on to the vessel. The caller provided a position for response units arriving on scene, while a Puerto Rico Police helicopter crew arrived and located the capsized vessel.
As the Customs and Border Protection marine unit approached the boaters in 10-foot swells to attempt the rescue, their vessel was also capsized, throwing the three agents into the water. The Station San Juan boat crew attempted to reach the agents and the boaters, but were unable due to the deteriorated sea state and the original capsized vessel being beyond the reef line.
As the Coast Guard MH-60T aircraft responded, the Puerto Rico Police helicopter crew rescued one of the boaters and one of the CBP agents and transported them to Isla de Cabras. Once on-scene, the Coast Guard aircrew deployed their rescue swimmer and safely hoisted the remaining two agents and boater safely aboard the helicopter.
The survivors were transported to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they were received by awaiting Puerto Rico Emergency Medical Service personnel and treated for minor injuries.
“Excellent team effort on this case late Tuesday night, said Lt. David Tirado-Tolosa, the Coast Guard Air Station MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircraft commander for the case. “The quick actions by FURA and CBP AMO allowed for constant eyes on all five people in the water and their prompt rescue."
"This mission highlights the high-risk environment our crews, federal, and local partners face every time they respond to a search and rescue. We are very glad everyone made it home safely, as this could have easily had a different outcome. I encourage everyone to check the weather before heading out; the next couple of days will not be safe for small vessels or swimmers on the north shore.”
“I am incredibly grateful for the swift and courageous actions of all the agencies involved in Tuesday’s rescue, especially our partners at the U.S. Coast Guard and Puerto Rico Police,” said Andy Blanco, the Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations Southeast executive director. “Their outstanding coordination, expertise, and rapid response were instrumental in ensuring the safe recovery of our agents and the boaters. This successful rescue is a powerful reminder of the risks our crews face every day, and of the strength and importance of our partnerships in safeguarding our maritime communities.”
“This case highlights the dangers facing rescue professionals coming to the aide of mariners peril,” said Cmdr. Zach Geyer, Coast Guard Sector San Juan Search and Rescue mission coordinator for the case. “The responding CBP asset crew exemplified the courageous effort our federal and local responders make in a deliberate and calculated risk decision to save two individuals in immediate danger of death.”
“Through strong coordination across agencies, including CBP, FURA, the Caribbean Air and Marine Operations Center, and the Federal Aviation Administration, responders safely deconflicted a congested airspace and ultimately saved lives. This case reflects the professionalism and teamwork required to save lives at sea. We are extremely glad and fortunate that everyone is safe and back with their families and coworkers.”
