The rescue took place in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (pictured). Photo: Ana Toledo // Unsplash
A Puerto Rico surfer has been rescued after being stranded for over 30 hours. Thanks to a multi-agency effort, the man was eventually found atop an outcropping of rocks near Surfer’s Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and hoisted to safety in a nighttime operation, according to a Coast Guard press release.
The 68-year-old man had first gone surfing around noon on January 8. When he had still not returned after over 24 hours, his Airbnb host reported him missing on January 9. An extensive multi-agency search ensued, with the Coast Guard coordinating with the Puerto Rico Police Department, Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA), U.S. Border Patrol, and local emergency responders to search via land, sea and air.
A search helicopter spotted the missing man stranded on rocks outside Surfer’s Beach, next to a surfboard and attempting to signal the craft. Weather conditions rendered the rocks inaccessible by foot or boat, so the man was retrieved via hoist in a nighttime operation. He was then transported in stable condition to awaiting emergency medical service personnel.
“What a terrific outcome!” said deputy sector commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan and search and rescue mission coordinator Capt. Robert Stiles. “We activated the inter-agency search and rescue effort as soon as we received the information, especially after realizing that it had been more than 24 hours. It was truly a team effort and I appreciate the responsiveness and professionalism of Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, the Sector San Juan Command Center and our local emergency responders. This case could have easily had a different outcome. We urge all mariners and anyone entering the water to have a plan, communicate your intentions with someone and wear all proper life saving equipment.”
