| Office of Public Affairs U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District |
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| Press Release |
Date: Apr. 23, 2004 Contact: |
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Three people rescued after a night in Caribbean waters SAN JUAN, P.R. - Shortly before 8:00 a.m. today three men were rescued one mile east of Culebra, Puerto Rico by the sailing vessel Chico, the men were huddled together floating in their life jackets after their 20 foot fishing boat was swamped and capsized midday yesterday. Bernard Azille, John Sunsun, and Bernard James reportedly from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, called Azille’s daughter on a cell phone claiming the vessel was sinking. Shortly there after the Coast Guard Command Center in San Juan was alerted, and a search for the men was begun. The Coast Guard immediately launched two small boats from the Marine Safety Detachment in St. Thomas and a helicopter from Air Station Borinquen. The searched continued into the evening with a seven hours of flying time and 11 hours of boat searches. A Coast Guard Falcon jet from the states arrvied last night and was to begin a first light search today. The men were found this morning by the Chico, one mile east south east of the Island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. Wind and tide had taken the men almost 26 miles from the original search area. "These men are very fortunate, the fact that they were wearing life jackets increased their chances of survival dramatically," said Lt.j.g. Eric Willis, Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer. During the short communication with the Coast Guard Command Center, the men were briefed to remain together which they did until rescued.
### The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the |
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