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Family of 4 remains missing at sea
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Posted on Apr 20 2009
Search and rescue team failed yesterday to locate a family of four who has been reported missing since Saturday night while traveling from Guam to Rota aboard a catamaran.
Lt. Elizabeth Buendia, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam command center chief, said there were no significant updates about the missing family as of 3pm yesterday.
Buendia said the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Washington, a 110-foot patrol boat, joined the search for the missing mariners yesterday afternoon.
Buendia said a Coast Guard C-130 plane from Honolulu has been requested and will join the search today, Tuesday.
CNMI Department of Public Safety spokesperson Eric David told Saipan Tribune yesterday that DPS Boating Safety officers are on standby if their assistance is needed.
Those reported missing are Ray Quichocho, his wife, son, and daughter. Ray Quichocho is confirmed as not the Saipan lawyer.
The U.S. Coast Guard said the CNMI Emergency Management Office first notified the Rescue Sub-Center Guam that the operator of the boat, Quichocho, had called Saturday evening using a cellular phone to report that he and his family were traveling 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.
The U.S. Coast Guard started the search and rescue operation Saturday night by dispatching a boat from the Guard Station Apra Harbor. Sunday afternoon, a helicopter from the U.S. Navy Sea Combat Squadron Two Five conducted an aerial search.
