From RCIPS

Just after 7:00 AM on 2 January, emergency services including the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), Cayman Islands Coast Guard (CICG), and the Cayman Islands Fire Service (CIFS) were dispatched by the 9-1-1 Communications Centre to the coastal areas off the Queens Highway in East End, in response to a report of a vessel in distress.

The vessel, described as a canoe, was observed submerged in the water.  RCIPS land units and CICG responded to the location, where CICG officers recovered the sunken vessel.  Several gas barrels were found washed ashore by RCIPS officers carrying out a shoreline search.

With the first priority being the preservation of life, a search and rescue operation was immediately activated.  The RCIPS Air Operations Unit (AOU) and CIFS joined CICG in a collaborative effort to search for any persons in distress. The search was called off at approximately 12:30 PM, having found no signs of human life in the surrounding area.

The incident, including the recovered vessel and gas barrels, is being investigated by the RCIPS Crime Task Force. The Office of the Commissioner of Police would like to thank the members of the public who may have assisted with the search and rescue incident.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses who may have information regarding the vessel and the persons who may have been operating the vessel. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Bodden Town Police Station at 947-2220.

Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via our Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777, or via our website.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the Cayman Crime Stoppers website or by downloading the Cayman Crime Stoppers app.