SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a joint mass rescue operation about 10 nautical miles off Mona Island after a makeshift, rustic vessel capsized Sunday night with a large number of people aboard.
Sector San Juan watchstanders received the first report midday Monday, Sept. 28. Crew members from the motor vessel Tripiti, acting as Good Samaritans, spotted people in the water, rescued four survivors, and notified the command center. The survivors said they had been traveling with an estimated 50 to 60 people and that the vessel overturned around 11 p.m. Sunday.
The Coast Guard is responding with Customs and Border Protection and Puerto Rico Police.
Units on scene or searching include:
- Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle and the cutter’s Over-the-Horizon small boat
- MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters from Air Station Borinquen
- Two Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA) marine units and a helicopter
- Two CBP marine units and a fixed-wing aircraft
Officials asked mariners to stay clear of the search area so crews can focus on saving lives. Anyone with information that could help the search is asked to call the Sector San Juan Command Center at 787-289-2041.
The operation remains active. Additional information will be released as it is confirmed.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan updates, Sept. 28.
