Coast Guard, Puerto Rico Police Rescue Five After Boats Capsize Off Isla de Cabras

Five people, including three federal agents, were rescued late Tuesday night off Puerto Rico’s Isla de Cabras after two boats capsized in rough seas, according to the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities.

The incident, which unfolded just after 9 p.m., began when the Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action notified Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan of a vessel in distress near the islet, also known as Goat Island. The Coast Guard responded by dispatching a 45-foot response boat and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. Support was also provided by a Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch marine unit and a Puerto Rico police helicopter.

A “Good Samaritan” reported locating the first 22-foot vessel overturned, with two individuals clinging to it, and provided coordinates to responders. As the CBP marine unit arrived in the area, it encountered 10-foot swells and subsequently capsized, throwing three agents into the water, Coast Guard officials reported.

Severe sea conditions prevented Coast Guard boats from reaching those in the water. The Puerto Rico police helicopter succeeded in hoisting one boater and one federal agent to safety, while the arrival of the Coast Guard's Jayhawk helicopter enabled a rescue swimmer to save the remaining two agents and another boater.

All five survivors were transported to Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, where first responders treated them for minor injuries. Coast Guard Lt. David Tirado-Tolosa credited the coordinated actions of all agencies and noted the promptness of responders was essential to ensuring everyone’s safety in what could have been a far more serious incident.

Authorities confirmed that all rescued individuals are safe, and no life-threatening injuries were reported.