A 68-year-old surfer who vanished for more than thirty hours has been dramatically rescued from a remote reef off the coast of Puerto Rico, in a mission hailed as a miraculous outcome by search coordinators.
The Disappearance and Search Launch
The dramatic operation began on the night of January 9, when the US Coast Guard Sector San Juan received a report of a missing person. An Airbnb host had raised the alarm after their guest failed to return to the rental property for over a day. The man's daughter later confirmed he had gone surfing at Surfer's Beach in Aguadilla around noon the previous day and had not been heard from since.
Recognising the urgency, especially given the man had already been missing for more than 24 hours, the Coast Guard swiftly activated a major interagency search. Captain Robert Stiles, deputy command sector commander and the mission coordinator, stated: "We activated the interagency search and rescue effort as soon as we received the information."
A Coordinated Rescue Effort
The Coast Guard immediately coordinated with the Puerto Rico Police Department, Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA), US Border Patrol, and local emergency responders. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was launched from Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen to scour the shoreline and offshore areas north of Aguadilla. Maritime assets from FURA and local authorities also joined the extensive search.
The breakthrough came when the Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted an individual matching the missing surfer's description. He was found standing on rocks outside Surfer's Beach, with his surfboard beside him, apparently trying to signal the aircraft for help.
Captain Stiles relayed the incredible news to the man's daughter in an emotional phone call, audio of which was later released. "We located your dad," Stiles said. "He was actually on a reef. I'm sure he's dehydrated, I'm sure he's had a rough night, but he's conversant. We're gonna have paramedics standing by to check him out, but he's alive and well."
Challenging Hoist to Safety
The rescue itself presented significant challenges. The location, surrounded by rocks, reefs, and difficult sea conditions, was inaccessible by either foot or boat. The Coast Guard crew also had to contend with nighttime conditions and low visibility as they executed a complex hoist to bring the stranded man into the helicopter.
Once safely aboard, the surfer, who was in stable condition, was transported directly to awaiting first responders at Air Station Borinquen. His daughter expressed profound gratitude, telling Captain Stiles, "Oh my gosh, thank you so much... Thank you so much for what you do for him."
Reflecting on the successful mission, Captain Stiles praised the collective effort. "It was truly a team effort and I appreciate the responsiveness and professionalism of Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, the Sector San Juan Command Center and our local emergency responders," he said. He added a sobering note, emphasising: "This case could have easily had a different outcome."
