Coast Guard tows stranded boater to Sta. Cruz after flare alert
The Coast Guard Caribbean Region said it towed a man and his vessel to Sta. Cruz, Curaçao, on Thursday 1 October.
The Coast Guard Caribbean Region said its Maritime Operations Centre received a report on Thursday 1 October of a possible distress flare near Sta. Cruz, Curaçao. The centre dispatched an aircraft to investigate.
The aircraft crew found a vessel with a man aboard waving for help, according to the Coast Guard. The centre then sent a Metal Shark vessel, which towed the boat and the man to Sta. Cruz.
The Coast Guard said the flare allowed the man to attract attention when other means of communication were unavailable.
It advised boat owners to maintain their vessels and carry safety and rescue equipment, including life jackets, flares, binoculars, a first aid kit, water, a fire extinguisher, a VHF radio and a charged mobile phone. The Coast Guard said assistance can be requested on VHF channel 16, by calling 913, or through WhatsApp at +5999 510 0913.
File photo: dronepicr / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 · cropped, SXM Today mark added
