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27 people aboard drifting yacht wihtout life saving equipment rescued

The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard received a distress call in the morning of Dec 14, 2021, that a vessel was having engine problems near Saba. There were presumably two persons aboard the yacht which was drifting at sea between Saba and St. Maarten. The Dutch Caribbean MRCC; which was already in contact with the rescue and coordination centre in Martinique, received a request from Martinique to rescue the crew. After receiving the request, the Coast Guard immediately dispatched the 'Poema' to assist. The captain of the yacht reported that there was no lifesaving equipment on his vessel and that they needed help quickly. Once at the scene the crew noticed that the yacht was being towed by a smaller vessel which had offered help. The 'Poema' took over the towing from the auxiliary boat and towed the vessel to St. Maarten. After further investigations there appeared to be 27 people, presumably migrants, on board of the vessel. Along with the captain they have been handed over to the St. Maarten Police Force and the Immigration Department in St. Maarten for further investigation. Report with photo: https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/coast-guard-rescues-vessel-with-27-persons-on-board