The Coast Guard is reminding boaters to keep in communication with friends and relatives when out at sea – and ensure they have radios on board – especially when delayed.
This advisory came after a search-and-rescue was conducted Monday afternoon for boaters who were reported missing, but were instead just enjoying an extra go at fishing.
“All boaters should be reminded to call a friend or relative to let them know they are safe, especially if they anticipate being out longer than initially expected. Make sure your phone is charged and bring a portable VHF radio with you as well,” the Coast Guard said in a statement issued Monday evening.
The advisory followed the air-and-sea search for the boaters.
The Coast Guard, in a post on its official social media pages, said that on Monday at 12pm its Operations and Rescue Coordination Centre received a distress report about a fishing vessel that had gone missing.
The vessel, with two people on board, had departed for a fishing trip on Sunday at 4pm.
Coast Guard personnel, together with the police Air Operations Unit, the Port Authority harbour patrol team, and a private vessel, conducted a thorough search for the boaters.
At 3:20pm Monday, the Coast Guard patrol vessel Typhoon and the harbour patrol team located the boat a half-mile off Seven Mile Public Beach.
The Coast Guard said the occupants confirmed that they were not in any distress and were still fishing at the time.
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