A family of three survivors from a capsized vessel were rescued on Wednesday, May 30, by the crew of the cargo vessel Jacamar Arrow in the Atlantic Ocean, in waters north of the Haiti and Dominican Republic border.
Namely, Steve Kopesky, 51; Jessica Kopesky; 41, and their daughter, were transiting from Turks and Caicos to the Dominican Republic aboard the sailing vessel Lost Marbles, when their vessel began taking on water and capsized approximately 22 nautical miles northwest of Montecristi, Dominican Republic.
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US Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan received a satellite phone call from the Captain of the Jacamar Arrow, who reported responding to a VHF Channel 16 distress call from the Lost Marbles. After a six-hour transit, the Jacamar Arrow arrived on scene and the crew located the survivors in the water and rescued all three family members in good health. The survivors were reported to be wearing lifejackets when rescued.
Lt. Thomas Carman, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan command duty officer, stated:
In this case, the wearing of lifejackets and the use and monitoring of a VHF marine radio saved lives. Having a properly working VHF radio allowed the survivors to call-out for life-saving assistance. The Coast Guard applauds the rescue and actions performed by the crew of the Jacamar Arrow and commends the survivors on their use of lifesaving equipment.
The US Coast Guard Cutter Heriberto Hernandez later met with the Jacamar Arrow, embarked all three survivors and transported them to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they received further assistance from Customs and Border Protection Officers and Department of State of Puerto Rico officials.
