On Friday, U.S. Coast Guard aircrews rescued a solo sailor from a yacht that was taking over water off the coast of Puerto Rico.

The service rescued U.S. citizen Neil Treitman, 69, from the yacht Sailicity about 170 nautical miles of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Treitman was beneath manner aboard the 46-foot catamaran for a visit from Nassau to Tortola when his vessel started to flood.

Coast Guard Sector San Juan acquired a name from a 3rd social gathering on Friday night reporting that Sailicity was in misery. The caller, primarily based within the British Virgin Islands, was relaying info from a satellite tv for pc name from Treitman. The notification of an evolving misery scenario occurred at about 2200 hours Friday, and shortly after, watchstanders acquired an EPIRB misery sign from a tool aboard the crusing yacht. 

In response, the Coast Guard launched a Jayhawk helicopter out of Air Station Borinquen and an Ocean Sentry search airplane from Air Station Miami. The cutter USCGC Pablo Valent additionally diverted in the direction of Sailicity’s place. Sector San Juan additionally put out a name for help from any close by service provider visitors.

The Jayhawk helicopter aircrew arrived early on scene and lowered away their rescue swimmer to the deck of the stricken yacht. The swimmer securely hoisted Treitman aboard the plane, and the aircrew delivered him to security.

After the rescue, Treitman informed the Coast Guard that he had seen the beginning of the flooding earlier within the voyage, and he was capable of management it for some time utilizing the bilge pumps and buckets. However, the speed of water ingress sped up, and he was now not capable of sustain with it. 

“We’re very thankful Mr. Treitman had the necessary equipment on board his vessel so we could safely and efficiently locate him far offshore,” mentioned Lt. Cmdr. Vince Knaeble, Air Station Borinquen MH-60T Jayhawk plane commander for the case. 

The Coast Guard reminded non-public boaters that they need to carry an EPIRB, as Treitman did, and a VHF radio to facilitate search and rescue.