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DPS saves 7 stranded on reef
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Posted on Mar 28 2001
A group of passengers aboard a sea vessel found themselves stranded outside the reef west of Saipan Grand Hotel Saturday.
Seven individuals led by Henry Huet left the Sugar Dock that morning of March 24 to go on a snorkeling adventure when a strong wave struck their boat.
In an interview with police, Mr. Huet said the wave almost sunk the ship especially as it was parked right by the shoreline.
He added that the wave caused the vessel engine to die, pushing the ship further into the reef. As a result, its steering rudder was damaged.
Before the situation could worsen, Boating Safety Units were summoned for assistance and immediately responded to the emergency call.
To the victims’ rescue were Police Officers Mike Camacho, and Ton Diaz, who borrowed a jet ski from the Big Boyz concession stands at area.
Another officer Florencio Falig boarded a vessel operated by a Filipino named Abed and headed out to the reef line to assist the stranded vessel.
At sea, Mr. Falig noticed that another vessel operated by Captain Jesus Kapileo was also outside of the reef, trying to assist the rest of the boating safety units who were trying to haul the vessel from being stuck on the coral reef.
When the vessel made it to shallow waters, boating safety officers further shoved it to the open water where Mr. Kapileo towed toward Sugar Dock.
While the uniformed men and extra help were pushing the vessel out, Mr. Camacho and Mr. Diaz transported four of the stranded people back to the dock.
Mr. Camacho then conducted the safety equipment inspection on the stranded vessel and found it in compliance of existing boating regulations.
