3 rescued following fishing trip gone wrong
First responders managed to save three individuals who were reported missing at sea after what they expected to be a fun fishing trip went awry yesterday afternoon.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Department of Public Safety’s Boating Safety Unit, Division of Customs and Biosecurity, the U.S. military, and other community members were called to action yesterday in response to a report about three spearfishermen—Peter Pangelinan, Dillan Cruz, and Clifton Norita—who had gone missing at sea.
Fortunately, all three were located alive and safe past 4pm.
According to a DPS statement, the three, along with one other individual who was operating their boat, launched from Smiling Cove Marina before 9am, and headed for the pre-positioned ships just outside Saipan’s reef. Their boat was reportedly anchored behind one of the pre-positioned ships at around 12pm.
It was a little after lunch when the three were reported missing at sea.
“We got a call about three men unaccounted for out in the water. The three were out spearfishing by one of the pre-positioned ships,” said DPS.
According to DFEMS spokesperson Rob Mojica, two DPS Boating Safety boats, one Customs and Biosecurity boat, two DFEMS jet skis, one Navy helicopter, and a number of other private boats were launched from the Smiling Cove Marina in response.
“At 1:02pm, Boating Safety Unit stated that they were going to do a check around the pre-positioned ships for three possible missing fishermen,” he said.
Mojica said Boating Safety then located the three at around 4:31pm. The police declined to reveal details about the rescue, besides saying they’ve been found.
“At around 4:31pm, BSU stated over the radio that they have found the fishermen and were returning to the Smiling Cove Marina and requested for medical attention. Medic 2 from the Garapan Fire Station conducted vitals checks on all three fishermen and they said they were okay,” said Mojica.
The day before, on Tuesday Jan. 23, first responders also launched a search for a 60-year-old Japanese windsurfer who was reported missing at sea.
The man was reported missing by Saipan Seawind who rents out watersports equipment behind Hyatt Regency Saipan.
The man was found unharmed at around 7pm.
Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services and local community members are seen aiding in the search for three missing fishermen yesterday.
-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Friends and family members of the three fishermen who were reported missing at sea yesterday afternoon are seen in this photo awaiting news from first responders. Fortunately the three fishermen have since been found and are reported alive and safe.
-KIMBERLY B. ESMORES
