Tropical Storm Challenges USCG Rescue of 12 From Grounded Cargo Ship

A tiny, inter-island freight ship based Wednesday early morning nearSt Thomas in the UNITED STATEVirgin Islands Storm threw seas from hurricane Philippe, which was passing to the north of the island, created a tough rescue for the united state Coast Guard.

“This vessel grounding was a very close call and I commend our watchstanders and responding boat crew for their efforts rendering assistance to the people who were aboard the Bonnie G and bringing them to safe harbor,” statedCapt Jos é E. Díaz, leader ofCoast Guard Sector San Juan He kept in mind that the Coast Guard’s emphasis is currently on contamination control as well as examining the situations of the event.

The Bonnie G is a 42-year-old previous overseas supply ship that is currently running as a Ro-Ro bring freight in between the islands consisting of San Juan, the British Virgin Islands, as well as the UNITED STATEVirgin Islands The vessel is 186 feet in size as well as 120 dwt.

The AIS signal reveals the vessel left from Christiansted,St Croix onTuesday The USCG records that there were 12 individuals aboard which the vessel was bring 6 automobiles, a vehicle, a trailer, as well as 2 pallets of freight when it based southern of the flight terminal inSt Thomas.

Coast Guard watchstanders in San Juan obtained a VHF aquatic radio interaction from the Bonnie G at 3:41 a.m., Wednesday, reporting the vessel was tackling water in the engine area. They reported that individuals onboard were deserting ship onto 2 life plethoras as well as a lifeboat.

Bonnie G is aground south of theSt Thomas Airport in seas adding to 9 feet (USCG picture)

Tropical tornado Philippe passed north of the location on Tuesday with wind rates in between 45 as well as 50 miles per hour as well as creating hefty rains. Weather records today fromSt Thomas suggest winds at 28 knots with the National Weather Service reporting seas 5 to 7 feet with periodic seas as much as 9 feet as well as a tiny craft advisory effectively with tonight.

Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan notified vessel web traffic in the location after obtaining the distress signal as well as alerted the USCG inSt Thomas which dispatched its 33-foot Special Purpose Craft to offer rescue aid. Once on scene, the Coast Guard watercraft team had the ability to get started all 12 of the survivors as well as delivered them to Crown Bay Marina onSt Thomas.

The issue currently mores than prospective contamination from the based ship with the USCG coverage that the Bonnie G has roughly 13,000 gallons of gas as well as roughly 250 gallons of lube oil onboard. They are collaborating with the vessel proprietor as well as neighborhood authorities to eliminate the contamination hazard as rapidly as well as securely as feasible.