WILLEMSTAD - On the morning of August 15, the Maritime Operations Center of the Coast Guard Caribbean Region was alerted to a motor yacht stranded in the Caribbean Sea due to running out of fuel and water. The naval ship Zr.Ms. Groningen was immediately dispatched to assist the distressed vessel.
Upon receiving the distress call, the crew of Zr.Ms. Groningen swiftly contacted the naval base Savaneta in Aruba. They promptly procured the necessary fuel and water before speeding toward the yacht to provide assistance.
By early afternoon, the naval ship reached the vessel in trouble. The stranded boat, which had been struggling against rough waves, was approached using FRISCs—small boats typically employed in drug interdiction operations. The two occupants of the yacht were visibly relieved by the timely aid. After the Royal Navy and Coast Guard Caribbean personnel transferred the fuel and water, the yacht was able to follow Zr.Ms. Groningen’s path to safety and arrived securely in Aruba. The boat underwent a customs inspection upon arrival.
Since April, the naval ship Zr.Ms. Groningen has been operating in the region, working alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Caribbean Region. Beyond anti-drug missions, the ship has been engaged in fisheries inspections and documentation checks on various vessels. Its continued presence significantly enhances peace and security in the Caribbean Sea.