77.8 F
Cruz Bay
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsCoast Guard Searching for Missing Boater Between STT and Culebra

Coast Guard Searching for Missing Boater Between STT and Culebra

Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos, which is taking part in the search for a missing boater in the water between St. Thomas and Culebra. (Coast Guard file photo)
Missing boater Darren Rodriguez Villanueva, 33, who is the subject of a search Wednesday in waters near Culebra, Puerto Rico. (Photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard)

U.S. Coast Guard rescue crews were searching Wednesday morning for one of two boaters who were forced to abandon a sinking vessel Monday in waters near Culebra, Puerto Rico.

The missing boater is Darren Rodriguez Villanueva, 33, a resident of Culebra, a small island some 27 miles west of St. Thomas.

According to a news release from the Coast Guard headquarters in San Juan, the other boater reportedly survived the sinking vessel by reaching Culebrita, an uninhabited cay just off the eastern coast of Culebra Island.

The Coast Guard said the two men departed Culebra on a voyage to St. Thomas Sunday, and they were forced to jump into the water when their vessel started taking on water during their return voyage to Culebra. The survivor reported losing sight of Rodriguez Villanueva moments after the vessel sank.

Coast Guard Sector San Juan watchstanders received a call at 8:36 p.m., Tuesday, from the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency reporting a possible person in the water following a missing person’s report received by Puerto Rico Police in Culebra.

Coast Guard watchstanders initially diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos and directed the launch of an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen to search. Watchstanders also transmitted an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast advising boaters and mariners in the vicinity to be on the lookout for a person in the water.

The search area encompasses waters east of Culebra.

Anyone who may have seen or who has information on the possible whereabouts of Darren Rodriguez Villanueva is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector San Juan Command Center at 787-289-2041.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.