A gentleman was saved by the Coast Guard following his claim of being stranded for a duration of three days on a deserted island. This happened subsequent to his sailboat experiencing a breakdown within the Bahamian waters.
The team aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark observed the unfortunate sailor launching flares from his inoperable boat on Friday. This incident occurred close to Cay Sal, an expanse of land spanning 2,000 square miles situated amidst Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas. This information was conveyed by the maritime agency through an official statement.
Upon successfully locating the mariner who found himself marooned, the diligent crew hailing from the Coast Guard Air Station Miami took charge. Operating the advanced HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft, this dedicated team embarked on a crucial mission to provide essential aid to the stranded individual.
In an impressive display of coordination and swift action, they orchestrated the delivery of vital provisions that would serve to alleviate the challenges of his stranded situation.
The individual informed the crew that he had been marooned for a span of three days due to his vessel experiencing a malfunction while he was on his journey. The agency stated that he was subsequently rescued by the Coast Guard cutter and transported to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force in a satisfactory state of health.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Dev Craig, a watchstander from Coast Guard Sector Key West, expressed our sense of accomplishment in preserving the life of this individual. He emphasized that this incident underscores the essential need for appropriate safety gear aboard vessels.
He further mentioned that the positive resolution of this case might not have been possible without the visual cue of the flare.
