ST. EUSTATIUS--The Caribbean Netherlands Police Force KPCN received a message that a vessel was in distress off the coast of St. Eustatius at 3:20pm Wednesday, November 18.
The boat’s engine reportedly had failed and started a fire. Also, the captain, who was alone on the boat, did not feel well.
A local man took the police to the boat which turned out to be closer to the coast of St. Kitts than to Statia’s coast. There was no fire on arrival at the boat.
The boat was towed to St. Eustatius with assistance of Statia Terminal’s tugboat.
The captain was taken by ambulance to the Hospitainer to do a COVID-19 test and for medical examinations. The man tested negative, but remained on the boat in accordance with the emergency ordinance until he received news from the Statia authorities.
