An aircrew member of a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Borinquen prepares to complete the rescue of Michael Vazquez, 25, who was stranded on Desecheo Island Feb. 3, 2015. Coast Guard rescue crews continue to search for a woman who had gone paddle boarding with Vazquez Feb. 1, 2015, from Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, to the uninhabited island of Desecheo, a distance of approximately 15 nautical miles. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The crew of a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescued one of two missing paddle boarders Tuesday afternoon who was stranded on Desecheo Island, approximately 15 nautical miles off the coast of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
Rescued is Michael Vazquez, 25, as Coast Guard rescue crews continue to search for Sheily Roque, 30, the second paddle boarder who still remains missing.
The pilot of a Coast Guard Auxiliary fixed-wing aircraft actively searching for the missing paddle boarders located Vaquez at approximately 11:23 a.m. Tuesday.
Shortly thereafter, a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Boriquen arrived on scene and deployed their rescue swimmer and helicopter rescue basket to hoist and recover Vazquez from the island. The Coast Guard aircrew transported Vazquez to Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, where he will be evaluated by Emergency Medical Services personnel.
Coast Guard rescue crews involved in the search are:
Coast Guard Cutter Valiant, a 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter home ported in Mayport, Fla.
Coast Guard Cutter Farallon and Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo, 110-foot patrol boats home ported in Puerto Rico
Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station Borinquen
Coast Guard Auxiliary fixed-wing aircraft
Civil Air Patrol fixed-wing aircraft