COAST GUARD RESCUES 4 MEN, 5 WOMEN FROM DISABLED PLEASURE CRAFT NEAR JUDITH’S FANCY

CHRISTIANSTED — A Coast Guard boat crew rescued nine persons from a disabled vessel Sunday evening, about 100 yards east of Judith’s Fancy in St. Croix.

The rescued, four men and five women, were reportedly residents of St. Croix.

Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan received a VHF Channel-16 communication from the pleasure craft Katana at 6:04 p.m. Sunday, reporting the vessel had run out of fuel and was drifting towards the reef line with nine people onboard.

Watchstanders directed the launch of a 33-Special Purpose Craft from Boat Forces Detachment Saint Croix, that arrived on scene and whose crew safely removed all the passengers from the adrift vessel.

“Fortunately, the vessel was able to anchor allowing us to safely transfer all passengers to our boat,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Richard Belcher, Boat Forces Detachment St. Croix coxswain for the case. “Due to the sea state, we had to push the limitations of both vessels while managing the safety of all personnel involved. Our crew adapted to rapidly changing weather conditions and performed at a high level to ensure all passengers were safely removed and transported to shore.”