SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard and local emergency response authorities ended the search for a missing swimmer after local responders located and recovered his body off Flamenco Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico, Friday.
Recovered deceased is Brandon Smith, a U.S. citizen in his sixties, from Connecticut residing in Culebra, after local emergency responders using a drone located the swimmer’s body, approximately one nautical mile offshore from Flamenco Beach.
A Puerto Rico Police Joint Force of Rapid Action marine unit responded to the position, where the crew recovered Smith’s body unresponsive. Smith’s body was transported to the Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Sciences where his identity was confirmed.
“Our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends for Brandon Smith, we hope they find strength and closure during this most difficult time,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ray Lopez, Coast Guard Search and Rescue mission coordinator for the case. “Although the outcome of this case was most unfortunate, we truly appreciate all interagency response units and personnel who worked together seamlessly and did their utmost in this case to find Smith.”
Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan received an initial notification at 5:45 p.m., Wednesday, reporting the swimmer beset by weather. A Good Samaritan entered the water with a surfboard and left it near the swimmer before returning to shore due to deteriorated sea-state conditions on-scene.
Agencies and units that participated in the search:
- U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen
- U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo
- U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft
- Civil Air Patrol aircraft - U.S. Air Force Auxiliary
- Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau
- Culebra Municipal Office of Emergency Management and Police
- Puerto Rico Joint Forces of Rapid Action
- Puerto Rico Emergency Medical Services
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