Four vessels were tasked before Harbour Radio confirmed no one was in danger
Four vessels were tasked with a reported search and rescue operation this morning. However, Harbour Radio has since confirmed the incident was a false alarm.
Nonetheless, the response has underscored the importance of filing a float plan.
Concerned bystanders reported seeing what they believed was a paddleboarder in distress in waters north of Hamilton Parish this morning. However, the individual was actually a wind foiler surfing the waves.
The duty officer at Harbour Radio confirmed the 911 call was received at around 8:30 am.
A land police unit was dispatched to rendezvous with the callers, but by the time officers arrived, the person at sea was no longer in sight.
With southwest winds at the time, there was concern the reported paddleboarder was drifting offshore and unable to get back … prompting a coordinated rescue response.
The pilot boat St. David, the tugboat Faithful, and a Coast Guard vessel were dispatched. The container ship Somers Isle, which had just departed the island, was also alerted, and then diverted its route to assist.
However, Harbour Radio later confirmed through its contacts that the person believed to be in distress was a man on a foil board, using a paddle to surf the waves – an activity that from shore would closely resemble paddleboarding.
The wind foiler had travelled from the Shelly Bay area toward Fort St. Catherine and was likely ashore within 20 to 30 minutes of the initial distress call.
“It was a great result knowing the man was safe ashore,” said the duty officer, adding that based on the initial information received, the situation had to be treated as a serious incident.
They noted that seeing someone use a foil board with a paddle is a relatively rare activity.
The search was stood down just after 11 am. The duty officer said it would have come to a natural conclusion regardless, as no one had been reported missing.
Harbour Radio adds that it regularly receives calls concerning windsurfers and wind foilers, and is reminding those heading out alone to file a float plan with a friend or relative.
Such a plan lets someone know where you’re going out on the water and when you’ll be back, so help can be called if you don’t return as planned.
