The successful search and rescue operation was thanks to the operational synergy conducted by Naval Aviation and Coast Guard units.
Units of the Colombian Navy, attached to the Specific Command of San Andrés and Providencia rescued three United States citizens in waters near San Andrés islas, after the sailboat in which they were traveling from Roatán-Honduras suffered damage in its main machinery, thus limiting its navigability and causing them to enter emergency due to adverse meteomarine conditions.
The Naval Institution, after receiving the report from U.S. maritime authorities, began this successful search and rescue operation, sending two Rapid Reaction Units –URR - of the San Andrés Coast Guard Station and a Bell 412 helicopter of the Naval Aviation in the emergency area, in order to fully find the ship and assist its crew.
Despite the complicated sea conditions that reported waves up to four meters and wind up to 27 knots, the crew of the Coast Guard units attended the United States citizens’ boat named The Dreamer, verifying the good health of the three people. Once the emergency was over, the Rapid Reaction Unit towed the three shipwrecked aboard the ship to safe harbor in the bay of San Andres Island.
"Despite the focused operational effort that the Colombian Navy has to contribute to the reconstruction of Providencia and Santa Catalina after the transit of Iota, through our naval means we continue to carried out normally the patrols of control and maritime traffic that have led to safeguard human life at sea in the waters of the Archipelago department under our responsibility. For us there is nothing more valuable than the lives of people, so we will spare no effort in assisting civilians in an emergency,” said the Commander of the Specific Command of San Andrés and Providencia, Rear Admiral Hernando Mattos Dager.
Source: press-Colombian Navy
