SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard crewmembers rescued two people from a disabled vessel 30-feet from the coastal reef-line near El Morro in Old San Juan, Sunday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan command center received a notification of the disabled vessel drifting toward the northern shore.
Upon receiving the initial notification, watchstanders immediately coordinated the launch of a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft – Law Enforcement boatcrew from Coast Guard Station San Juan to rescue the stranded passengers and salvage the immobilized vessel.
Crewmembers quickly located the vessel and rescued the passengers in distress.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Joaquin Mercado, a member of the station, provided quick-response instruction for the passengers to safely establish the tow line before the vessel’s anchor failed, which may have resulted in the vessel running aground on the nearby reef.
The vessel was taken into a stern tow and delivered to San Juan Bay Marina.
“Without the coordinated efforts between the command center and boatcrew, the vessel would have more than likely been destroyed against the rocky shoal due to the vessel’s anchor not holding,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Gonzales, officer in charge of the station. “The coxswain and crew displayed a tremendous amount of composure and skill while operating their smallboat within several yards of a shoal. I’m extremely proud of the crew’s efforts and the communication it took to safely complete the mission.”
Crewmembers from Coast Guard Station San Juan approach a disabled vessel near Old San Juan. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station San Juan.
