SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard urges recreational boaters, fishermen and beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands to exercise caution due to hazardous seas, life-threatening rip-current risks, and dangerous surf and coastal flooding conditions that are projected to persist, Monday through Tuesday.
Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan and Coast Guard rescue crews responded to four separate search and rescue cases throughout the northern coast of Puerto Rico, Sunday, in which three persons lost their lives.
“Sunday was a very sad and difficult day for emergency responders and the people in Puerto Rico due to the hazardous sea-state and coastal conditions which resulted in three fatalities during the weekend,” said Capt. Luis J. Rodríguez, Commander of US Coast Guard Sector San Juan. “Our most heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and loved ones of the victims, we pray they find strength during this difficult time. We caution the public that dangerous maritime, sea-state and hazardous rip current conditions continue to affect the northern and southern coasts of Puerto Rico. Please stay informed, check for official weather updates from the National Weather Service so you may keep yourself and your loved ones safe.”
In a case off Chatarra Beach in Loiza, Puerto Rico, Sunday morning, Coast Guard watchstanders received a report of a person in distress. A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew arrived on-scene and located the person face down in the water approximately 75 yards from shore. The Coast Guard aircrew recovered the individual unresponsive and administered CPR throughout the flight until the person was transferred to Emergency Medical Services personnel.
In a case off Kikita Beach in Dorado, Puerto Rico, Sunday morning, Coast Guard watchstanders received a report of a person in the water in distress. The reporting source relayed they were unable to help the person out of the water due to the strong waves and subsequently lost sight of the person. Coast Guard watchstanders are assisting local emergency response authorities with ongoing search and recovery efforts, Monday.
In a case in Playa Mar Chiquita in Manatí, Puerto Rico, Sunday afternoon, Coast Guard watchtanders received a 911 call of a man who was seen climbing onto the rocks and going in the ocean. The reporting source informed that the person had gone into the water and his body was faced down and unresponsive in the breaking surf and cliff rocks. Municipal Office of Emergency Management in Manatí reportedly recovered a person deceased, Monday morning. The identification process to confirm the person’s identity is ongoing.
In a case in Playa Los Tubos in Manatí, Sunday afternoon, Coast Guard watchstander received a report of four surfers in the water in distress. Coast Guard watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and directed the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Borinquen. Watchstanders also contacted Manatí Office of Emergency Management and Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action in Vega Baja. Despite struggling with on-scene conditions, all four surfers reportedly made it out of the water safely.
The Coast Guard Rescue Sub-Center contact number to report a distress or rescue situation in Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands is 787-289-2041, and VHF Channel 16 is the international distress frequency to report maritime emergencies. Social media is not an appropriate means of reporting distress.
The Coast Guard reminds the public and recreational boaters of the following safety messages:
- Stay clear of beaches. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents. Swimmers should stay clear of beaches until local lifeguards and law enforcement officials say the water is safe.
- Beware of rip currents. A rip current is a powerful channel of water that flows quickly away from shore. They often occur at low spots or break in the sandbar. Any object or person caught in a rip current can be pulled out into deeper seas. If you become caught in a rip current, do not panic. The way to escape a rip current is to swim parallel to the shore. Once you are away from the force of the rip current, begin to swim back to the beach. Do not attempt to swim directly against the current, as you can become easily exhausted, even if you are a strong swimmer.
- Stay informed. Weather information updates, advisories and warnings can be obtained by tuning into VHF radio channel 16 or visiting the National Weather Service website for San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The post US Coast Guard cautions for hazardous marine and coastal conditions in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands appeared first on Caribbean News Global.
