U.S. Coast Guard Rescues Family of Three Near Bahamas

On Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a successful rescue operation to save a family of three from a partially-sunken sailing vessel near Plana Cays, Bahamas, located hundreds of miles from Florida’s shores.

Shortly after midnight on Sunday, a concerned citizen alerted the Coast Guard Seventh District about a family in distress aboard a yacht. In response, a helicopter aircrew from Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos was dispatched to assist in the rescue mission.

By 7:00 AM, the Jayhawk aircrew spotted the family on a life raft in calm conditions. A rescue diver was deployed into the water to retrieve the survivors, including an eight-year-old child, and they were safely transported to shore without any reported injuries.

Lt. Andrew Boyle of Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater expressed gratitude for the successful rescue, emphasizing the rigorous training of the aircrews for such critical situations.

Following the rescue, the vessel’s owner is coordinating with a commercial salvor for the removal of the partially-sunken yacht.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s presence in the Bahamas traces back to 1982 when a partnership was established to combat drug smuggling operations in the region. The Coast Guard maintains a base on Great Inagua, equipped with interceptor boats and helicopters for conducting drug interdiction missions.