SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard rescue crews ended their search Thursday night for a missing surfer off the coast of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
Still ongoing Friday are Puerto Rico Emergency Management search and recovery operations for the missing surfer near shore.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of the family, friends and loved ones of this missing surfer,” said Capt. Robert W. Warren, Sector San Juan commander. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to them during this most difficult time.”
Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan received a telephone call Tuesday morning from a 911 emergency operator, who relayed a report that the man was last seen surfing in the vicinity of “El Peñon de Mera” and that his board had washed up to shore.
Coast Guard rescue crews searched waters near and off the coast of Arecibo alongside and in coordination with Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency and Puerto Rico Police rescue teams.
Coast Guard units collectively searched over 49 operational hours completing seven surface searches and 10 air sorties which covered over 1,000 square nautical miles, an area approximately a third of the size of Puerto Rico.
Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Civil Air Patrol involved in the search were:
- Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-65D Dolphin helicopters
- Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier
- Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin
- U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary fixed-wing aircraft
- U.S. Civil Air Patrol fixed-wing aircraft
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier is a 154 Fast Response Cutter, while the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin is an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat, both homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico.