Rota-bound family missing at sea

The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and the CNMI’s Boating Safety responders combed several square miles of ocean yesterday to look for a missing family that reportedly departed Guam on a boat bound for Rota.

As of 6:45pm Sunday, the CNMI Emergency Management Office told Saipan Tribune that the U.S. Coast Guard has yet to report any sighting of the boat and the family.

Lee Putnam, a search and rescue specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard Guam, identified the missing persons as Ray Quichocho and his family.

Putnam clarified with the Saipan Tribune that Ray Quichocho is not the Saipan lawyer because he had just talked with the lawyer yesterday morning.

“Today we are using a helicopter. We are hoping to use an airplane tomorrow [Monday],” he said.

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam said that Saipan’s EMO notified the Rescue Sub-Center Guam that the operator of the boat, Ray Quichocho, had called Saturday evening using a cellular phone to report that he, his wife, son, and daughter were transiting from Guam to Rota on their catamaran.

Quichocho reported that they were about 10 miles from Two Lovers Point and that one of the two engines had failed, and they were encountering big waves.

Quichocho ended the call before EMO could gather any additional information, according to the Coast Guard.

A boat from U.S. Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor was dispatched Saturday night to investigate, but the crew was not able to locate the missing family.

Lt. Elizabeth Buendia of the U.S. Guard Guam said the Department of Public Safety on Rota reported yesterday morning that no boat had arrived from Guam the previous night.

Buendia said a transit of 44 miles should not have taken more than eight hours.

She said a helicopter from the U.S. Navy Sea Combat Squadron Two Five began an aerial search yesterday afternoon that continued until sunset.

Buendia said they have not been able to identify Quichocho, given the limited information that he provided to Saipan EMO.

“We do not know if he is a Guam resident or a resident of the CNMI. If anyone has any additional information that could help identify this family and their planned voyage please contact the U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Sub-Center Guam at 671-355-4910 or by e-mail using RCCGuam@uscg.mil,” Buendia said.