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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Coast Guard crews rescued four adults and one minor from the water, Thursday, after their vessel started taking on water and capsized near Guánica Bay.
No injuries were reported.
Coast Guard Sector San Juan watchstanders received a 911 call at approximately 6:30 p.m., reporting five persons in the water in the vicinity of Punta Brea, Guánica.
An Air Station Borinquen MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew arrived on scene at approximately 7:20 p.m. and found the four adults and one minor wearing life jackets and huddled together in the water. The aircrew hoisted all five individuals from the water and transported them to awaiting family members at Mercedita International Airport in Ponce.
“Last night we were honored to assist five members of our community. The success of the mission was largely due to the individuals having proper flotation devices which aided our ability to perform an effective rescue,” said Lt. Luke Dewhirst, Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-60 aircraft commander. “I am proud of the coordination and teamwork demonstrated by Air Station Borinquen and the crew of 6054 in conducting this case. Special thank you to the crew of ARFF Ponce who took great care of the survivors after making it back to land.”
A Puerto Rico Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA) boatcrew also responded and they were unable to reach the five persons in the water due to the proximity to hazardous shore break and reef in the area. The vessel is reportedly still partially submerged at the entrance of Guánica Bay and the owner is coordinating salvage and recovery efforts.
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