Search for missing boaters suspended due to poor weather

Ongoing inclement weather has forced the Cayman Islands Coast Guard to temporarily suspend search and rescue efforts for two Cayman Brac men who failed to return from a boating trip that began on Monday.

As of 4pm on Thursday, 23 Oct., the search had been on hold for more than 24-hours due to “continued deteriorating weather conditions in the vicinity of the Sister Islands”. The Coast Guard has indicated that search operations will resume once conditions improve and it is safe to continue.

The Cayman Islands National Weather Service has described current marine conditions around Cayman Brac as moderate to rough, with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet and a small craft warning in effect. Conditions are expected to deteriorate over the next few days, becoming rough to very rough by Monday and Tuesday with wave heights of 8 and 10 feet, and a marine warning going into effect on Monday.

Search and rescue progress

The two men, Corey Nikito Brown, 38, and Amilcar Rosales Smith, 41, reportedly departed from the Brac Reef Resort in Cayman Brac at around 6:00pm on Monday, 20 Oct. destined for Swordfish Bank. At 4:15pm on Tuesday, 21 Oct. – when they had not yet returned – a concerned family member contacted the 911 Centre.

Following the notification, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service began aerial search operations between 6:08pm and 7:30pm that evening, while marine search and rescue efforts were initiated at 3:57am on Wednesday, 22 Oct.

Wednesday’s marine search took place aboard the Coast Guard’s Patrol Vessel Guardian, within a 92-nautical-mile perimeter spanning approximately 495 square nautical miles – a calculated area of probability provided by the US Coast Guard’s Rescue Coordination Center in Miami.

The drift probability guide – which estimates the most likely drift location – was determined using the vessel’s size, prevailing winds and ocean currents.

Officers from the Department of Environment stationed in Cayman Brac provided assistance, while the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing provided aerial support, coordinating closely with Guardian to maximise coverage across the search area.

The search was suspended on Wednesday at 3pm and – as of Thursday evening – they continue to be on hold until further notice.

The Cayman Islands Coast Guard Operations and Rescue Coordination Centre said that it has been broadcasting notices to mariners, urging all vessels in the area to remain vigilant and to report any sightings or information that may assist in locating the missing vessel and its two occupants.

Brown was last seen wearing a brown long-sleeve shirt and cream pants, while Smith was last seen wearing a baby blue shirt and light blue jeans with the left leg cut off. The boat that they were operating is described as a blue 24–28-foot fishing boat powered by a single 100 HP engine.

Anyone who has any information that could assist in locating the men is urged to contact the Coast Guard Operations and Rescue Command Centre at 649-6722 or call 911.