The Cayman Islands Coast Guard has called off a search-and-recovery operation for three missing boaters, after four-and-a-half days of intense efforts.
In a brief statement released by the RCIPS on Wednesday, 27 April, a spokesperson said the Coast Guard stood down their search efforts at 6pm, “based on time elapsed and nothing [having] been seen/found”.
The search for the men began shortly after 1pm on Friday, 22 April after authorities were alerted to several packages floating in the North Sound, and along the coastline. Those initial efforts were said to have been significantly hampered by rough weather.
One man, a 35-year-old Jamaican national, was rescued shortly after the initial search began. He was taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
Upon his release, he was arrested in connection with the 945 pounds of ganja recovered from the floating packages. He was formally charged with illegal landing and importation of ganja. He has since been remanded into custody.
Three other men, who are thought to have been on the now-capsized vessel, are said to have fallen overboard.
On Monday, the Coast Guard shifted its efforts from search and rescue to search and recovery after the 72-hour mark was crossed.
During the search, the Coast Guard located two red life vests from mangroves in the vicinity of Uncle Bob Road, but they were later determined not to be associated with the missing men.
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