The 200-foot cliff at Cabo Rojo lighthouse where 2 people were rescued Sunday afternoon.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The crew of a Coast Guard helicopter rescued two watercraft riders Sunday afternoon from the bottom of the Cabo Rojo lighthouse 200-foot shoreline cliff on the southwestern end of Puerto Rico.
The man and woman fell into the water while operating a personal watercraft Sunday afternoon, and were unable to restart the watercraft as the heavy surf and currents began drifting them towards the rocks.
“These watercraft riders were rescued thanks to the prompt reporting of a local bystander and the skillful and coordinated response between Coast Guard rescue crews, Puerto Rico Police and emergency response agencies on scene,” said John Hall, Sector San Juan command duty officer.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan received a call at 1:10 p.m. Sunday from a bystander at the lighthouse, who reported the incident.
Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen personnel in Aguadilla launched an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter to the scene, while rescue crews aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Cushing and a Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action (F.U.R.A.) marine unit also arrived on scene.
The crew of the Coast Guard helicopter deployed their rescue swimmer and hoisted the man and the woman off the rocks using a rescue basket, while a rescue crew aboard the Cushing small boat provided rescue support from the water. The rescued watercraft riders were transferred in good health to awaiting local police and emergency response personnel at the top of the Cabo Rojo lighthouse cliff.
