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DPS rescues distressed vessel
A distressed vessel beyond the reefline west of the Aqua Resort Club was safely towed back to a Saipan marina last Monday and its occupants were reported safe.
According to CNMI Department of Public Safety report, the Boating Safety Division launched a search and rescue mission at approximately 1:13pm last Monday.
It was learned that the three occupants of the vessel reported the incident to dispatch after their vessel gave out on their way to a fishing spot up north.
On a police report, dispatch received a call about a distressed vessel outside the reefline west of San Roque at about 12:56pm on Monday.
DPS central office immediately dispatched CNMI DPS Boating Safety’s rescue boat, Impact, from the Smiling Cove Marina.
At 1:36pm Impact met with the distressed vessel near the same location where the 911 call was made. The distressed vessel was safely towed into the Smiling Cove Marina by 2:45pm.
It was learned that the three occupants of the distressed vessel launched their red, outboard-powered, 20-footer vessel at about 9am and planned to head north for a fishing trip when the boat’s motor made an unusual sound and slowly died out. The captain and crew tried to start up the motor to no avail and called 911 for assistance.
The Boating Safety Division would like to remind boaters to be aware of water conditions before planning fishing trips and encourage boaters to tell their family members about their plans before going in the water.
If a distressed vessel or swimmer is spotted out in the lagoon, notify the CNMI DPS Boating Safety immediately by calling 911.
