A Bahamian jet skier reported lost at sea since last Thursday, was successfully located on Saturday by a United States Coast Guard search and rescue mission.
The jet skier reportedly departed Little San Salvador along with four other Bahamian nationals on Thursday night, but inclement weather forced the group to turn around. However only four skiers successfully made it back to land.
A statement released from the U.S. Embassy outlined that the U.S. Coast Guard was notified of the situation on Friday afternoon and its District Seven headquarters in Miami dispatched a HU-25 Falcon jet from Air Station Miami to look for the individual on Friday afternoon.
The crew searched for several hours on Friday until nightfall and returned Saturday morning to continue the search. The individual, whose name was withheld, was successfully located on Saturday morning, approximately twenty miles east of the north end of Eleuthera. He was found within the search grid that District Seven planners had drawn up the night before.
Upon making the discovery, the Coast Guard notified the nearest passing vessel, which happened to be the cruise ship Explorer of the Seas. The cruise ship, guided by the Falcon jet, diverted its course and boarded the individual for onward transport to Nassau. The male underwent medical observation and was treated for dehydration. As of Sunday, his condition was said to be stable.
U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas John Rood greeted the Coast Guard crew when they arrived in Nassau on Saturday as they refueled for their return trip to Miami.
At the time, Ambassador Rood expressed that search and rescue is a valuable part of the Coast Guard’s mission. “These guys do amazing work and, in this case, probably saved a man’s life,” he said.
By TAMARA McKENZIE, Nassau Guardian Staff Reporter
