From RCIPS

Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 5:46 PM

Call For Volunteers: Search and Rescue Operation

The RCIPS Joint Marine Unit is asking for volunteers for the ongoing search and rescue operation for the missing 28ft. Panga boat with three adults and two children on board, last seen around 3PM yesterday.

We are asking for experienced boaters with vessels of 50 ft. or more in length to join the operation tomorrow, which will begin around 8AM. The operation will be done in concert with the C-130 plane deployed by the U.S. Coast Guard, which is conducting an operation until dark this evening and will begin again in the morning.

Those who able to join tomorrow’s operation should call the Joint Marine Unit at 649-7710 and leave their details with officers. They will be contacted at 7AM with further instructions.

As seas are expected to be rough tomorrow as they are today, we are again asking for experienced boaters only.

UPDATE: Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 3:08 PM

This morning just before 11AM the police helicopter discovered the 28ft. Panga boat about 20 miles south west of Grand Cayman.  The boat was overturned.

Further search efforts are underway around the vessel and in the nearby area.  So far no survivors have been found.

Police were alerted to the missing boat and with 5 persons (3 adults and 2 children) on board last night at midnight.   Family members also informed police of a fisherman who stated he had seen the vessel near 12 Mile Bank between 3-4PM, and that water had started to become quite choppy at that time.

Given the description of the boat’s location as being near 12 Mile Bank at approximately 3PM or thereafter, the potential drift pattern of the boat was assessed to be within 20-30 miles of that location. The Air Support Unit determined that a search and rescue could not be undertaken across this wide area in the middle of the night with only one pilot available, and that to do so would endanger both pilot and crew.

The Joint Marine Unit also assessed that due to rough seas and no air support, police marine vessels could not be deployed until the morning.

This morning the Air Support Unit deployed the police helicopter at 8:30AM to begin the search-and-rescue mission.  The JMU police vessel Guardian also deployed at 9AM, but encountered rough seas through the Channel and sustained damage to the rear of the boat, and returned to the marine base.  Two private vessels were deployed this morning to respond to the area where the Panga boat was sighted.  The boat has not been relocated, however, debris from the vessel has been sighted on the water.  The U.S. Coast Guard has deployed a C-130 aircraft to assist with the search this afternoon.

Further investigation has confirmed that the mobile phone belonging to one of the men engaged in no active communication since 2:47PM yesterday afternoon.  We have also confirmed that a phone belonging to another man on the boat was disconnected at 3:41PM yesterday afternoon.

No distress calls were received from the vessel anytime yesterday or today. Police have been informed that there were no life vests on the vessel.

Police met with and informed the families of those on the vessel this morning.

We understand the families’ grief and anguish and express our sadness at these circumstances. We will continue to be available to provide all information and answers to their questions and will continue the search and rescue operation.

Originating story

Around midnight (today), 7 March, police were informed of a vessel missing with three adults and two children on board. The persons had embarked on a fishing trip earlier in the day, Sunday, 6 March, at around 11AM. They were reportedly sighted by another vessel between 3-4PM leaving 12-Mile Bank on track to George Town, with one engine operating.

A description of the vessel and picture are attached. The persons on board are three adult males, one aged 42 and the others unknown, with two boys aged 9 and 11.

After receiving the information early this morning, police immediately made arrangements for a search-and-rescue operation to begin with daylight. The search-and-rescue operation is underway and we will keep you informed of any developments.

All boats, cruise ships and the U.S. Coast Guard have been alerted to the missing vessel’s description and picture. A Silver Command Center has been established at the marine base to coordinate the search. Anyone who sees a vessel of this description or has any further information should contact the George Town Police Station at 949-4222.