Rescue From “Near-Drowning Event” Posed Significant Challenge

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a 70-year-old man from the Atlantic Ocean approximately 70 nm north of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic on February 5, 2025. The man was snorkeling off of the M/V Sea Hunter when he experienced a near drowning. It is not known what caused the incident. 

The crew of the Sea Hunter notified watchstanders of the Coast Guard Sector San Juan that one of its passengers was recovered from the water unresponsive and not breathing. The crew reported that after using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), the man regained consciousness and required a higher level of care ashore.

The watchstanders then directed the dispatch of an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen on the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico to rendezvous with the Sea Hunter to conduct the rescue and medevac of the snorkeler. Simultaneously they made arrangements for emergency medical service personnel to receive the patient ashore.

When the helicopter arrived on scene, the air crew deployed their rescue swimmer down to the vessel. The crew used the rescue basket to hoist both the patient and his spouse aboard the aircraft.

The air crew then transported the patient to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the awaiting EMS personnel received and transported him to the local Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan.

Lt. William Boardman, commander of the Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk said, “This mission presented a significant challenge, as time was of the essence and required meticulous planning of fuel, communications, and extensive coordination between Sector San Juan and the Sea Hunter crew.

“Our team worked efficiently on scene to ensure a safe return to Puerto Rico. The patient was successfully transferred to Emergency Medical Service personnel and transported to a higher level of care. A huge thank you to everyone involved.”

FMI:  www.news.uscg.mil/