Authorities recover body of teen

The search for a teenage boy who was reportedly missing while boogie boarding beyond the reef line across Sugar Dock on Saturday came to a tearful end yesterday afternoon after authorities recovered his body.

Department of Public Safety public information officer Thomas A. Blas Jr. said Boating Safety Section officers managed to recover the body at about 2:15pm. He said the body was found floating by the green buoy outside the reef line.

Medics were summoned to the dock and immediately transported the 17-year-old boy to the Commonwealth Health Center.

The victim, along with a 16-year-old boy, were boogie boarding on Saturday when they were swept beyond the reef line by strong currents. Responders from the BSS and its Dive Rescue Team rushed to the site shortly after noon after receiving reports that two teenage boys were in distress due to rough waves.

“The 16-year-old was rescued as he hung on to a buoy in the channel outside the reef line by two responding officers and another jet ski operator of the JY Concession of Saipan Grand Hotel,” said Blas.

He said the 17-year-old boy was last seen by the other victim.

“Upon his return with the officers to the shore, he reported his companion missing,” he said. “Immediately, a shoreline search was conducted for the 17-year-old but [he] could not be located.”

The search mission continued on Sunday headed by the BSS Dive Rescue Team and the Emergency Management Office.

The Emergency Management Office released several high surf advisories on Sunday, warning beachgoers that surf could reach up to nine feet. The agency said hazardous surf will be present through mid-week as a result of swells generated by typhoon Dianmu.

In related news, two individuals, who were also boogie boarding at the site, were swept out to sea by the strong current, requiring assistance from BSS.

Blas said the victims, 19-year-old Kriel Layco and Herman Guerrero, were rescued by BSS personnel and a civilian volunteer of the Saipan Water Craft concession of the World Resort.

“The two victims and another companion came to Sugar Dock at about 10am and all went boogie boarding in the channel,” said Blas. “The first victim got dragged by strong currents in the channel, in which the second victim went out attempting to rescue him.”

The current, however, proved to be too strong, preventing the two from swimming back to shore.

“The victims suffered no injuries, but were strongly warned about the water conditions in the area.”

Two other individuals were also rescued on Friday.