The US Coast Guard is investigating a collision between a recreational boat and a commercial passenger vessel, that occurred in late hours of 25 July, off “Isla Magueyes” in Lajas, Puerto Rico. So far, 21 passengers from both vessels have been reported with sustained injuries.
In particular, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan received a radio call on VHF channel 16 from the recreational vessel Andrea, a 33-foot hydra sport with 10 passengers on board, who requested assistance following a collision with the commercial passenger vessel La Nena II, which was transporting 28 passengers and two crewmen. La Nena II Captain also notified the incident, requesting medical assistance for injured passengers onboard.
USCG alerted Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces for Rapid Action, who responded with a marine unit on scene to render assistance.
According to data provided by USCG, both the recreational vessel and La Nena II were able to transit under their own power to “La Parguera,” where emergency units arrived on scene to assist and coordinate the transport of injured passengers to local medical facilities in the area.
“We were relieved to hear that all passengers and crew from both vessels had been accounted for and were receiving assistance from Emergency Medical Service personnel on scene,” said Cmdr. Janet Espino-Young, Sector San Juan chief of prevention.
USCG, along with other local agencies, will be conducting an investigation to determine the causes of the incident, Cmdr. Espino-Young informed.
