Miracle Rescue: Dad Found Alive After 30 Hours Missing While Surfing in Puerto Rico
A 68-year-old man has been miraculously found alive after going missing for over 30 hours while surfing in Puerto Rico. The man, who had failed to return to his Airbnb, was eventually spotted by a Coast Guard helicopter crew stranded on rocks near Surfer's Beach. Key Takeaways A 68-year-old surfer w...
A 68-year-old man has been miraculously found alive after going missing for over 30 hours while surfing in Puerto Rico. The man, who had failed to return to his Airbnb, was eventually spotted by a Coast Guard helicopter crew stranded on rocks near Surfer's Beach.
Key Takeaways
- A 68-year-old surfer was reported missing after failing to return from a session on January 8th.
- He was found alive over 30 hours later, stranded on rocks, by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.
- The rescue was complicated by difficult terrain and nighttime conditions.
The Disappearance and Search
The alarm was raised on Friday, January 9th, when the man did not return to his accommodation. His daughter confirmed he had gone surfing the previous day, around noon, in the area of Surfer's Beach in Aguadilla. By the time authorities were notified, he had already been missing for more than 24 hours.
A Difficult Rescue
The U.S. Coast Guard dispatched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen to conduct searches along the shoreline and offshore. During their sweep, the helicopter crew spotted an individual matching the surfer's description stranded on rocks adjacent to Surfer's Beach. The man was seen attempting to signal the aircraft.
Due to the treacherous surrounding rocks, reefs, and sea conditions, the location was inaccessible by boat or on foot. The Coast Guard described the rescue as a "flawless hoist operation," successfully recovering the man aboard the aircraft despite challenging nighttime conditions and low visibility.
A Call for Safety
Captain Robert Stiles, deputy sector commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan, who coordinated the mission, praised the inter-agency effort and the professionalism of all involved. He emphasized the importance of preparedness when entering the water, advising individuals to have a plan, wear appropriate life-saving equipment, and inform others of their intentions in advance.