MIAMI — The Coast Guard rescued two people Friday morning who were missing for five days off the west coast of St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators in San Juan, Puerto Rico, received a call from a family member Monday around midnight stating Richard Sealey and Kenneth Sealey had not yet returned from their trip to Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
HH-65C Dolphin helicopter crews from Air Station Borinquen, Puerto Rico, and HU-25 Falcon jet crews from Air Station Miami were launched to search for the missing boaters.
After several days of searching, a Dolphin helicopter crew finally spotted the two boaters in good condition on their 28-foot center console pleasure craft Vitamin Sea about 20 miles west of St. Croix.
The Dolphin helicopter crew safely hoisted the men to safety and transferred them to EMS personnel in St. Croix.
“We’re very pleased by the outcome of this search and rescue mission,” said Chief Petty Officer Levi Campbell, a search and rescue coordinator in San Juan. “We strongly encourage boaters to use lifejackets and emergency radio beacons while out at sea.”
