The US Coast Guard has successfully rescued a man who was stranded on an uninhabited island in the Bahamas for three days following the breakdown of his sailboat.
According to a statement from the Coast Guard, the man was saved on August 18 and was subsequently “transferred in good health to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.”
The Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received a distress call from a Coast Guard Air Station Miami Auxiliary aircrew reporting a disabled sailboat firing flares near Cay Sal.
A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew located the stranded man on the island and airdropped essential supplies including food, water, and a radio to establish communication.
The man informed the rescue crew that he had been stuck for three days after his sailboat became inoperable during his voyage.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Dev Craig, a Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstander, emphasized the importance of proper safety equipment, stating, “We’re proud to have saved this man’s life. This case highlights why having the right safety gear on your vessel is crucial. Without spotting the flare, the outcome could have been very different.”
