WILLEMSTAD – The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard assisted a vessel in distress near Santa Cruz, Curaçao, on Thursday evening after a flare was spotted in the area.
The Coast Guard’s Maritime Operations Center (MOC) received a report that a distress flare had been observed near Santa Cruz and dispatched a Coast Guard aircraft to investigate.
Upon arriving in the area, the aircraft crew spotted a vessel with a man on board waving for assistance. After locating the boat, the MOC dispatched a Metal Shark patrol vessel to provide assistance.
The Coast Guard crew safely took the vessel, which was operated by a local man, under tow and brought it toward Santa Cruz.
According to the Coast Guard, the incident demonstrated the importance of carrying emergency signaling equipment on board. The flare allowed the man to attract the attention of people on shore and signal that he was in distress.
A flare can be particularly important when other means of communication are unavailable, allowing boaters in distress to attract the attention of people on shore, emergency services or nearby vessels.
The Coast Guard is reminding boat owners to regularly maintain their vessels and ensure that adequate safety and rescue equipment is on board before heading out to sea.
Recommended equipment includes life jackets, flares, a flashlight, first-aid kit, sufficient drinking water, a fire extinguisher, VHF radio and a fully charged mobile phone.
The Coast Guard said proper preparation and vessel maintenance can help prevent breakdowns from developing into dangerous situations at sea.
Anyone requiring assistance at sea can contact the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16, call the emergency number 913 or send a WhatsApp message to +5999 510 0913.