A surfer who had been missing for more than thirty hours was dramatically rescued in a night-time operation off the coast of Puerto Rico on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
A Desperate Search and Miraculous Discovery
The dramatic chain of events began on the night of January 9, when the US Coast Guard Sector San Juan received a report of a missing person. An Airbnb host had raised the alarm after their guest, a 68-year-old man, failed to return to the rental property for over a day. The man's daughter later confirmed he had gone surfing at Surfer's Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, at noon the previous day and had not been heard from since.
Almost immediately, a major interagency search was launched. Captain Robert Stiles, deputy command sector commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan and the search and rescue mission coordinator, stated: 'We activated the interagency search and rescue effort as soon as we received the information, especially after realizing that it had been more than 24 hours.'
The Coast Guard coordinated with the Puerto Rico Police Department, Joint Forces of Rapid Action, US Border Patrol and local emergency responders. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was launched from Air Station Borinquen to scour the shoreline and offshore areas north of Aguadilla.
Night-Time Hoist from Inaccessible Reef
The breakthrough came when the Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted an individual matching the missing surfer's description. He was found standing on a reef with his surfboard beside him, outside Surfer's Beach, apparently trying to signal the aircraft for help.
The rescue was highly complex. The location, surrounded by rocks and reefs with challenging sea conditions, was inaccessible by either foot or boat. The helicopter crew also had to contend with night-time conditions and low visibility as they executed a delicate hoist to bring the man to safety.
'It was truly a team effort and I appreciate the responsiveness and professionalism of Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, the Sector San Juan Command Center and our local emergency responders,' Captain Stiles said. He added a sobering note: 'This case could have easily had a different outcome.'
A Terrific Outcome and Emotional Reunion
Once safely aboard the helicopter and en route to Air Station Borinquen, the man was reported to be in stable condition. Captain Stiles personally relayed the good news to the surfer's daughter and her mother in an emotional phone call, audio of which was later released.
'We located your dad,' Stiles can be heard saying. 'He was actually on a reef. I'm sure he's dehydrated, I'm sure he's had a rough night, but he's conversant. We're gonna have paramedics standing by to check him out, but he's alive and well.'
The daughter responded with profound gratitude, repeatedly thanking the Coast Guard for their efforts. The rescued man was safely transported to waiting first responders at the air station. Reflecting on the successful mission, Captain Stiles summed it up: 'What a terrific outcome.'
