Missing boaters located, vessel drifted across North Sound

Three boaters, who reportedly experienced engine trouble while at sea, have been located and are safe, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service has confirmed.

The RCIPS said in a statement that all three had been accounted for and the vessel had been recovered.

Police said that, shortly after 7:30pm on Monday, they received a report of a vessel in distress in the North Sound.

It was reported that the 14-foot aluminum boat was experiencing engine trouble and was drifting with one person on board, while two other people had entered the water.

The Cayman Islands Coast Guard responded and began a search in the area where the vessel was last seen drifting.

“With the assistance of family members, it was established that the vessel had drifted across the North Sound and came ashore in the vicinity of the Holiday Inn. The RCIPS helicopter confirmed the presence of the vessel and officers from the RCIPS made contact with the gentleman who had been aboard,” the police statement said.

Emergency services attended the scene where the vessel came ashore and examined the man who was found to be in good health.

The other two individuals who went into the water were also located, police said.

Members of the community joined with the RCIPS and the Air Operations Unit in the search for the missing boaters.

Commander Robert Scotland, following the incident, reminded boaters to always ensure they have a working flashlight, signal flares, a VHF radio and a charged cellphone in a watertight package.

“Had any one of these devices been onboard last night, the vessel and its occupant could have been located in a much faster time,” he said.

Scotland stressed the need also to have life vests on vessels.

“While we are happy that all of the young men were located, last night’s incident could have had a very different result, so please remember to ensure that you always have the proper safety equipment onboard, and that each person also has on a personal floatation device,” he added.