PHILIPSBURG--The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard’s Dash-8 maritime patrol aircraft detected the sailing yacht Julia that was dis-masted and had rigged an emergency sail between St. Croix and St. Maarten on Wednesday. Due to poor communication with the yacht, the Rescue Coordination Centre decided to send the Caribbean station ship Zr. Ms. Groningen to the location.
A fast raiding interception special forces craft (FRISC) arrived on site. The fast boat from the station ship was launched to see if they could help the passengers. There were two people with French nationality on board the Julia. They indicated that they had been out on the water for eight days already. One of the passengers did not feel well and needed medical assistance.
Medicine and food were also delivered from the Zr. Ms. Groningen. The passengers were not in immediate danger, but with an emergency sail and currents the situation could have gone downhill quickly. It was subsequently decided to tow the Julia to St. Maarten using the FRISC. The passengers were dropped off at the Coast Guard station in Simpson Bay.
