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DPS responds to a distressed vessel off Saipan waters
On Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, at about 6pm, the Emergency Operations Center relayed information to the CNMI Department of Public Safety regarding a distress call that was made earlier with no name, location, or nature of the distress call, besides saying that they were on the western side of Saipan. The DPS rescue boat, Impact, was launched to conduct search and rescue.
At about 6:09pm., the DPS rescue boat departed Smiling Cove Marina and headed toward the western waters of Saipan. At about 6:40pm, officers noticed a flare sighting and immediately drove toward the area. Shortly after, officers approached a 13-foot vessel and noticed two individuals on-board. The individuals stated that they were okay and just lost all power on the vessel.
The vessel was towed toward Smiling Cove Marina, where they arrived safely back at port at approximately 7:32pm. Officers learned that the individuals were out fishing earlier that day and went towards Marpi, when they decided to turn around and head south toward the island of Tinian. As they were heading south they began to experience engine problems and called for help thorough Channel 16 via their VHF marine radio. During their transmission, they lost all battery power.
As the sun began to set, they shot two flares within a five-minute interval. Shortly after they shot their second flare, the DPS rescue boat arrived at their location. The vessel was inspected and was found to be in compliance with all safety equipment aboard. (PR)
