U.S. Coast Guard photo.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew conducted the rescue of a missing surfer following an extensive multi-agency search effort near Surfer’s Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. January 10, 2026.
The 68-year-old male was in stable condition and safely transported to awaiting emergency medical services (EMS) personnel at the Air Station Borinquen.
“What a terrific outcome!” said Capt. Robert Stiles, the deputy sector commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan and search and rescue (SAR) mission coordinator for this case. “We activated the inter-agency search and rescue effort as soon as we received the information, especially after realizing that it had been more than 24 hours. It was truly a team effort and I appreciate the responsiveness and professionalism of Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, the Sector San Juan Command Center and our local emergency responders. This case could have easily had a different outcome. We urge all mariners and anyone entering the water to have a plan, communicate your intentions with someone and wear all proper life saving equipment.”
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan received notification on the evening of 09 January of a person reported missing from an Airbnb host after not returning to the home for more than 24 hours. Information later provided by his daughter confirmed that the 68-year-old male had gone surfing in the vicinity of Surfer’s Beach, Aguadilla at noon on 08 January and had not been heard from since, prompting the Coast Guard to enter the distress phase and issue an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB).
The 68-year-old man was in stable condition and was safely transferred to emergency medical services personnel waiting at the air station.
U.S. Coast Guard video.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan.
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.
U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders coordinated with the Puerto Rico Police Department, Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA), U.S. Border Patrol, and local emergency responders while launching a MH-60T Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen to conduct shoreline and offshore searches north of Aguadilla. FURA maritime assets and local authorities simultaneously conducted shoreline and offshore searches in the area.
During their shoreline search, the rescue helicopter aircrew spotted an individual matching the description of the missing surfer stranded on rocks outside Surfer’s Beach, next to a surfboard and attempting to signal the aircraft. Due to surrounding rocks, reefs, and sea conditions, the location was inaccessible by foot or boat. Once on the scene the MH-60T Jayhawk MRR Helicopter aircrew deployed the rescue swimmer, the aircrew conducted a flawless hoist operation and safely recovered the individual aboard the aircraft despite difficult nighttime conditions and low visibility.
Rescue crews involved in the search:
- Puerto Rico Police Department
- Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA)
- Oficina Municipal para el Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres de Aguadilla
- Negociado para el Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres
–USCG–
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