SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew located and rescued the second of two overdue fishermen Saturday stranded on a cliff in Mona Island, Puerto Rico.
Coast Guard Watchstanders in Sector San Juan received a call Saturday morning from a girlfriend of one the fishermen, who reported that they failed to return to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico from a fishing trip Thursday to the Los Rabos fishing grounds in waters northwest of Aguadilla.
Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen launched an Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla HH-65 Dolphin helicopter Saturday morning, while the Coast Guard Cutter Farallon and an Aviation Training Center Mobile Ala. HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft were diverted to search for the missing fishermen.
Coast Guard watchstanders received another call at 12p.m. Saturday from Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources Park Rangers on Mona Island, who reported that one of the overdue fishermen had walked to their station and was safely in their care.
The fisherman reportedly stated the he swam ashore with his cousin after their 22-foot vessel had sunk off Mona Island Saturday morning, and that he had last seen him on the rocks north of the island.
The Coast Guard helicopter rescue crew hoisted the second fisherman aboard the helicopter at 6:18 p.m. Saturday, after he was located on a cliff raising his hands over his heads requesting assistance.
The helicopter crew safely transported both survivors in good health to Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla.
Coast Guard Cutter Farallon is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
