SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard, U.S. Virgin Islands Police and Department of Natural Resources rescue crews in Saint Croix are searching for a woman who fell into the water alongside three men after their vessel capsized Sunday afternoon in waters south of Saint Croix U.S. Virgin Islands.
Still missing is a 45 year-old woman, U.S. citizen residing in Saint Croix, who was not wearing a life jacket and was last seen by one of the survivors swimming towards shore.
Coast Guard Boat forces in Saint Croix were initially notified of the incident by the U.S. Virgin Islands Police at approximately 7 p.m. Sunday. The boaters where reportedly traveling aboard a 26-foot Mariner when they experienced engine problems prior to their vessel capsizing and sinking in waters northwest of Ruth Island, Saint Croix, approximately 800 yards from shore. Two of the passengers were able to swim to shore and seek assistance from a local fisherman, who was able to get underway and rescue the third man from the water. The third man was taken to the Juan F. Luis Hospital in Saint Croix to receive medical care.
Coast Guard controllers immediately launched HH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station Borinquen Aguadilla, Puerto Rico to initiate the search for the missing woman. Coast Guard rescue crews continue searching Monday with HH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station Borinquen, a 25-foot response boat from Boat Forces Saint Croix, and a Coast Guard Auxiliary fixed-wing aircraft from Saint Thomas. U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Natural Resources personnel and U.S. Virgin Islands Police in Saint Croix, searching with divers and Blue Lighting Strike Force Marine units, are actively involved in the search efforts on shore and in the water to find the missing woman.
