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Police rescue two stranded boats
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Posted on Jan 08 2009
Boating Safety Unit officers rescued two stranded boats, including one that had several tourist passengers, east of Managaha Island Wednesday morning.
All the boats’ occupants were found to be in good condition, according to Department of Public Safety spokesperson Lei Ogumoro yesterday.
Ogumoro said that, on Wednesday at 9:40am DPS received a call about two distressed vessels at the B29 Dive Spot, which is located east of Managaha.
DPS Boating Safety officers launched rescue boat Zodiac III. The rescuers later met with Jude Palacios, a captain of one of the stranded boats, at B29 Dive Spot.
Palacios told the officers they were in good condition and pointed north where the second distressed boat was anchored.
The officers arrived alongside the second boat where they met with its captain, Mark Anthony Hapdei, who was with several Japanese tourists.
Police learned that the boat was having engine problems. The boat, a 24-foot vessel with 120 horsepower outboard engine, was secured by the officers and towed back to Saipan.
During inspection of Hapdei’s boat, the officers found that it had no flares on board.
Ogumoro said Hapdei was issued a citation for not having the proper safety equipment.
Hapdei told police he departed Smiling Cove with several Japanese tourists to engage in scuba diving at B29 Dive Spot.
At 9:30am, they arrived at the dive spot. Several minutes later, Hapdei saw Palacios waving his hands and shouting for help as his boat had drifted away from where he and several individuals were diving.
Hapdei immediately rendered assistance to the boat. After helping Palacios retrieve the vessel, he discovered that his own boat was encountering engine problems.
Police were then notified, Ogumoro said.
