SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard rescue crews are searching Wednesday for a man and a woman after their yola (boat) reportedly carrying a total of 15 passengers capsized in waters south of Isla Saona, Dominican Republic.
Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan received satellite telephone call at 12:47 p.m. Wednesday from a crewmember aboard the Good Samaritan vessel, MSC Acapulco, who reported the vessel’s crew rescued nine men and four women from the overturned yola.
The crewmember of the MSC Acapulco further reported claims from survivors that a man and a woman traveling with the group were still missing and were last seen when the vessel capsized.
Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan diverted an Air Station Borinquen HH-65 Dolphin helicopter and the Coast Guard Cutter Pea Island to search for the missing persons.
The MSC Acapulco transferred the 13 survivors to the Dominican Republic Navy who in turn transported them to La Romana, Dominican Republic.
“These survivors are very fortunate to be alive as we continue to search for two other persons,” said John Hall, Sector San Juan Rescue Coordination Center controller. “By traveling these treacherous waters aboard a grossly overloaded and makeshift yola you are risking your life and the lives of everyone else onboard.”
The Coast Guard requests that anyone with information that may assist in this case contact the Sector San Juan Rescue Coordination Center at (787) 289-2041.
Coast Guard Cutter Pea Island is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Key West Fla.
