U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan

11/09/2026

Today, on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Coast Guard forces in Puerto Rico stood together to observe morning colors in solemn remembrance.

Twenty-five years later, the courage displayed by ordinary citizens and first responders continues to inspire our mission every day. Our coasties and civilians looked back with deep gratitude for the sacrifices made, remembering the resilience and heroic actions of the first responders, and the unity that defined our nation in its darkest hour.

“We honor the brave heroes, selfless first responders, and innocent victims of 9/11, keeping their memory alive in our hearts and minds and never taking for granted the costs and value of our nation’s freedom,” said Capt. Luis J. Rodriguez, Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander. “As we reflect on the past, Coast Guard Sector San Juan proudly reaffirms our enduring commitment to protect, defend, and serve our island and the nation. We remain always ready—Semper Paratus—to stand watch and safeguard the freedoms and communities we hold dear.”

11/09/2026

Coast Guard Sector San Juan personnel proudly stood alongside the community during the Puerto Rico Senate's solemn commemoration of 9/11, Friday. Representing the service at this meaningful event was a profound honor, allowing members to pay tribute to the heroes and victims of that fateful day while reaffirming the Coast Guard's enduring commitment to protect, defend, and serve the island and the nation.

During the commemoration, Sector San Juan’s Command Master Chief Etienne Bochet had the honor of delivering remarks alongside other first responders, military service members and local leaders.

"It was a profound honor to represent the U.S. Coast Guard today at the Puerto Rico Senate’s commemoration of the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001," said Master Chief Petty Officer Etienne Bochet, Coast Guard Sector San Juan command master chief. “Standing in our island’s capital as a proud Puerto Rican to speak on behalf of our service members, alongside the brave firefighters, police officers, and first responders who risked everything, is a moment I will never forget. Today served as a powerful reminder of our collective devotion to duty and sacrifice, and our unbreakable commitment to keeping the memory alive of those we lost.”



U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen

08/09/2026

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle repatriated 51 migrants to San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, following the interdiction of a makeshift vessel in Mona Passage waters off Puerto Rico, Saturday.

This interdiction is part of the efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force San Juan Region to combat human smuggling and deter unlawful maritime migration.

Coast Guard Sector San Juan watchstanders scrambled assets to intercept an overloaded makeshift vessel after a Customs and Border Protection aircrew spotted a suspect grossly overloaded makeshift boat off Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Saturday. Watchstanders quickly diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle to interdict the vessel and launched an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Borinquen to provide search and rescue support.

Shortly after, cutter Joseph Doyle intercepted the vessel and the crew safely boarded 51 migrants, including 34 Dominican nationals (30 men, two women, and two minors) and 17 Haitian nationals (15 men and two women). The adults were transferred to Dominican Republic Navy authorities, while the two minors were placed in the care of CONANI (the National Council for Children and Adolescents).

“This successful interdiction highlights the seamless interoperability between our cutters, CBP air and maritime crews, and our federal and local law enforcement partners within Homeland Security Task Force San Juan,” said Cmdr. Matthew Pinhey, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle commanding officer. “It also reflects our strong collaboration with the Dominican Republic Navy to stop dangerous, unlawful migration in the Mona Passage. These maritime ventures are inherently dangerous, often subjecting families to unseaworthy, grossly overloaded vessels with zero lifesaving equipment. Our shared priority remains protecting life at sea and securing our nation's maritime borders from this threat.”

Anyone caught participating unlawful migration voyage could face potential prosecution or immediate repatriation to their country of origin or departure.

This interdiction and repatriation are part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operation in the United States and abroad.



U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen
CBP Air and Marine Operations
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Puerto Rico
Armada de República Dominicana
NFURA

06/09/2026

05/09/2026

When boaters or mariners activate an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), rescue teams rely on your registration data to know who you are, your vessel details, know who to contact and plan for search and rescue.

Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan received an unregistered 406 EPIRB distress alert in the vicinity of Cabo Rojo, Friday.

Not knowing the vessel's details, watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter to search for signs of distress. They also alerted Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action and issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to alert vessel traffic in the vicinity.

Once airborne, the Coast Guard aircrew located a partially submerged vessel that was being towed by a Good Samaritan vessel and escorted the vessels to shore as a Puerto Rico Police marine unit arrived on scene.
Watchstanders confirmed with the vessel owner that the vessel had an unregistered Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon and was still partially submerged. The vessel is now moored at the marina as watchstanders continue to work with the vessel owner to confirm the distress signal Hex ID and close out the EPIRB transmission.

Always register your EPIRB! It takes minutes and can save critical time when seconds count.



U.S. Coast Guard Southeast
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen
NFURA
Negociado para el Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres-NMEAD
Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales

05/09/2026

When every minute matters, the U.S. Coast Guard answers the call!

A Coast Guard aircrew medevcaced a 73-year-old man from the Culebra municipality to receive a higher level of care at the Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday.

The Coast Guard watchstanders in San Juan received an emergency medical evacuation request for a patient on Culebra Island who needed advanced care at a hospital on mainland Puerto Rico. With no other medical transport available at the moment, Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen to conduct the medevac.

Upon arrival, the medical facility personnel transferred the patient to the Coast Guard aircrew and provided a paramedic to assist with the patient’s transport. Shortly after, the Coast Guard aircrew completed the transport and transferred the patient to awaiting medical emergency personnel at the Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan.

"This medevac was truly a team effort between local emergency medical personnel, Sector San Juan watchstanders, and our maintenance crew and aircrew which ensured a successful outcome," said the Lt. j.g. Mott Miller, Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen copilot for the case. "Following a morning training flight, our maintenance crew worked quickly to prepare the helicopter for the mission. I’m proud of our aircrew, who played a vital role in coordinating with local paramedics to stabilize the patient, and in establishing clear communications with the Centro Medico helipad. Together, these efforts ensured a seamless transfer to the higher level of care the patient required."




U.S. Coast Guard Southeast
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen
Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Puerto Rico
Negociado para el Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres-NMEAD
NFURA
Negociado del Cuerpo de Emergencias Médicas
Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales

04/09/2026

- The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle repatriated 75 migrants to Dominican Republic, Friday, following the interdiction of a makeshift vessel in Mona Passage waters off Puerto Rico, Wednesday.

This interdiction is part of the efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force – San Juan Region to combat human smuggling and deter unlawful maritime migration.

Coast Guard Sector San Juan watchstanders received a report from the aircrew of a Customs and Border Protection multirole enforcement aircraft of a grossly overloaded 32-foot makeshift vessel northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Watchstanders diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle to interdict the suspect vessel and directed the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen to provide search and rescue support on scene.

Shortly after, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle intercepted the vessel and safely embarked 77 migrants, including 73 Dominican nationals, 65 men and eight women, and four Haitian men.

"Thanks to the teamwork of the Coast Guard and partner agencies, 77 people were rescued from a grossly overloaded makeshift boat,” said Cmdr. Matthew Pinhey, Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle commanding officer. “Without this swift response, the unstable and unseaworthy vessel could have easily capsized and ended in tragedy."

This apprehension is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operation in the United States and abroad.



U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
CBP Air and Marine Operations
Armada de República Dominicana
Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Puerto Rico
NFURA

28/08/2026

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos repatriated 16 aliens to Dominican Republic, Thursday, following the interdiction of a makeshift vessel in Mona Passage waters off Puerto Rico, Monday.

This interdiction is part of the efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force – San Juan Region to combat human smuggling and deter unlawful maritime migration.

Sector San Juan watchstanders received a report from the aircrew of a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry of a grossly overloaded 22-foot makeshift vessel off Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. A Customs and Border Protection multi-role enforcement aircraft joined the response and maintained aerial surveillance on scene as cutter Richard Dixon interdicted the suspect vessel.

Following the interdiction, the crew safely embarked 19 people, 14 men, three women and two minors, who claimed being Dominican Republic nationals. The migrant group was transferred to cutter Joseph Tezanos for their repatriation. Fourteen of the migrants were repatriated at sea to Dominican Republic Navy vessel Bellatrix, while the two minors were transferred shoreside to National Council for Children and Adolescents CONANI representatives.

"This is a win for our joint operations,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael D. Torgesen, Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon commanding officer. “Customs and Border Protection and Coast Guard air assets once again precisely guided the crew of the cutter Richard Dixon on scene, allowing us to stop this overloaded, unseaworthy vessel and successfully ensure safety at sea and maritime security."

“To anyone considering an unlawful maritime voyage; do not take to the sea!” said Cmdr. Matthew Romano, Coast Guard Sector San Juan chief of response. “These trips are extremely dangerous, typically relying on unseaworthy, heavily overloaded vessels without any lifesaving equipment. Furthermore, anyone caught participating faces potential prosecution or immediate repatriation to their country of origin or departure.”

This apprehension is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operation in the United States and abroad.



U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen
CBP Air and Marine Operations
NFURA
Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Puerto Rico

15/08/2026

Stay informed and stay safe! As Invest 92L moves across the Caribbean tonight through Sunday morning, the potential for showers and thunderstorms across the area will increase. Tune into the US National Weather Service San Juan Puerto Rico for the latest weather and marine advisories and forecasts.

Rough Surf and Hazardous Seas - High rip current risk and Small Craft Advisories are in effect for portions of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Breaking waves of 6 feet or higher and hazardous marine conditions are expected through the weekend.

Manténgase informado y seguro! Mientras Invest 92L se desplaza a través del Caribe desde esta noche hasta el domingo por la mañana, aumentará el potencial de lluvias y tronadas en toda la zona. Visite US National Weather Service San Juan Puerto Rico para los pronósticos y avisos del tiempo y condiciones

Hay riesgo alto de corrientes marinas y Advertencias para Embarcaciones Pequeñas para sectores de Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes Estadounidenses. Se esperan olas rompientes de 6 pies o más y condiciones marítimas peligrosas durante el fin de semana.



U.S. Coast Guard Southeast
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen
Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Puerto Rico
Negociado para el Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres-NMEAD
US National Weather Service San Juan Puerto Rico
Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Puerto Rico
Autoridad de los Puertos de Puerto Rico
NFURA