Archive image: A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk assigned to Air Station Borinquen, carries an Aviation Survival Technician (rescue swimmer) during a joint training exercise at Ponce, Puerto Rico, July 18, 2024.
The 892nd Multi-Role Bridge Company, 190th Engineer Battalion, 101st Troop Command, Puerto Rico Army National Guard, conducted water rescue training with the Coast Guard, enhancing readiness and interoperability for emergencies and natural disasters.
U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Felix Ortiz Rivera.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew rescue a man from crashing waves on an isolated rock formation along the northern cliff face near Playa Esperanza in Manatí. Monday, February 17, 2025.
“This rescue is a testament to the intentional and continuous training we conduct at Air Station Borinquen to intervene on someone’s worst day and bring them to safety,” said Lt. Luke M. Dewhirst, Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter commander for the case. “I am incredibly proud of the safe and efficient work by the crew of 6038, as well as the expert coordination by our operations watchstander and personnel at Sector San Juan; amazing teamwork by all. We are always thankful for the opportunity to assist people in need.”
A 911 emergency system operator relayed a report to Coast Guard Sector San Juan command center watchstanders for a person clinging onto the rocks after going over the cliff face and into the water off Playa Esperanza in Manati. Exhausted from swimming, the survivor was able to climb on top of a sharp rock formation as heavy waves threatened to knock him back into the Atlantic Ocean.
Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of an MH-60T Jayhawk MRR Helicopter aircrew from Air Station Borinquen to conduct the rescue mission.
The survivor was transported to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Emergency Medical Service personnel received and transported him to a local hospital.
U.S. Coast Guard video.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen.
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area.
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.
Once on scene, the Coast Guard MH-60T rescue helicopter aircrew spotted the survivor and deployed their rescue swimmer who used a rescue sling to safely hoist him aboard the aircraft. Following the hoist, the Air Station Borinquen MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew transported the survivor to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci airport for transfer to awaiting Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, who transported him to the Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan for evaluation.
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–USCG–
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