PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Recently, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Fort-de-France (FDF), Martinique, informed the Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard about a fishing vessel that was drifting at sea after running out of fuel. The vessel was transmitting mayday distress alerts via VHF Channel 16. However, attempts to establish communication with the vessel were unsuccessful, and its exact location was initially unclear.
Family members of the captain departed in a boat to assist but were unable to locate the fishing vessel. A nearby tanker later spotted the vessel but was unable to tow it. The tanker’s captain therefore reported the position of the vessel in distress to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Fort-de-France. FDF immediately informed the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard that the vessel was 9.5 miles southwest of Sint Maarten.
Upon receiving the vessel’s exact location, the Coast Guard was able to coordinate assistance. A Coast Guard Metal Shark reached the fishing vessel and towed it safely to the Coast Guard pier in Sint Maarten. Both occupants on board were in good health and arrived safely in Sint Maarten.
