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Container ship and Coastguard cutter saved adrift boat crew

The crew of the Coast Guard cutter "Donald Horsley" combined efforts with the "Skiathos" to rescue three stranded boaters Friday in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 75 nautical miles south of Puerto Rico. Rescued were a man and two women, claiming to be Dominican nationals, who were stranded at sea for 21 days after their 20-foot boat "Papa Fish" became disabled and adrift on a trip from Dominica to Martinique that started on May 19, 2018. Watchstanders at the Coast Guard San Juan received initial notification on June 7 at 7:19 p.m. from the crew of the "Skiathos", who reported locating a boat with three people onboard waving their arms for assistance. The crew of a patrolling U.S. Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air & Marine maritime patrol aircraft located the "Papa Fish" and confirmed there were three people onboard signaling for assistance. Coast Guard watchstanders proceeded to launch a HC-144 Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Miami, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley to deliver assistance and rescue the boaters. The crew of the Coast Guard helicopter arrived on scene with the "Papa Fish" and vectored in the "Donald Horsley" on its final approach to reach the stranded boaters. Once alongside the vessel, the crew of the "Donald Horsley" embarked the survivors who appeared to be dehydrated and hungry, but otherwise in good health. The crew of the "Donald Horsley" transported the survivors to Ponce, Puerto Rico, where they were received and assisted by awaiting Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations agents in the Port of Ponce. Report with photo: http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-rescues-3-people-stranded-in-the-caribbean-sea-for-21-days/2018/06/11/