Seven Tourists Had Become Stranded By Strong Currents And Tides

The CNMI Department of Public Safety-Boating Safety Division in Micronesia recently used a drone to assist in the rescue of seven swimmers who had become stranded in Laulau Bay.

The seven were among eight tourists who had gone for a swim in the bay Tuesday morning when the current and tides began to get strong. The Marianas Variety newspaper reports that one of the swimmers attempted to climb a makeshift ladder out of the water, but the ladder broke, leaving the swimmers stranded in the water. The current and tides began to pull them out to sea.

DPS reports that they received a 911 call at about 12:53 p.m. local time from one of the swimmers who managed to make it to shore and climb the rocks. A rescue boat was launched, along with a drone which helped locate the seven who remained in the water clinging to a yellow floatation device.

The seven were pulled from the water and cleared by medics.

(Image from YouTube video posted by user Roger Charito Cadua)

FMI: Source report