Two Men Rescued at Sea with the Assistance of the Cayman Islands Coast Guard

On 29 July, the Cayman Islands Coast Guard (CICG) was notified by the Jamaica Defense Force - Coast Guard (JDF-CG) and asked to assist in locating a 34ft fishing vessel with two missing men. In a coordinated effort with both the JDF-CG and the United States Coast Guard, CICG officers departed the shore of Grand Cayman for a series of search and rescue missions to find the two missing men.

On Thursday, 5 August, an oil tanker west of the Cayman Islands, reported seeing a vessel in distress which fit the description of the missing vessel.

The Operations Rescue and Coordination Centre requested the assistance of the ship's captain to deliver the men to the Grand Cayman to which they agreed. The men were given first aid by the cargo ship's crewmen on the way to Grand Cayman.

At 3AM Friday 6 August, the oil tanker was met by the CICG and the two men were transferred to the care of the Cayman Islands. CBC were informed and arrangements were made to safely land the crew observing all COVID 19 protocols. They were transported to the George Town Port Authority, where they were met by a team consisting of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA), personnel from Travel Time Cayman and the CBC.

Following an assessment by HSA personnel the two men were taken to an isolation facility. Both the men appear to be in good health and the Jamaica Consulate in the Cayman Islands have been contacted, and are assisting with their welfare needs, pending their return to Jamaica.

"On behalf of the Cayman Islands Coast Guard and the team that assisted in this rescue, I would like the thank the captain and crew aboard the oil tanker for their assistance in saving these two missing men," says Commander Robert Scotland "This was just one example of the importance and effectiveness of the Operation Rescue and Co-ordination Centre."