31/05/2026
On 05/31/26, a passenger on a flight from St Croix observed a boat on fire, and notified the flight crew, who in turn activated a well rehearsed emergency response system.
Within minutes, response officers from St Thomas, and St John Rescue, Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan were mobilized.
We’re pleased to report that an individual was safely recovered from the water, in 5-6ft seas in a joint effort between the above agencies. With a little context, trying to find a human in a massive body of rough open water, is one of the hardest rescues at sea, especially when the only information you have is ‘14 miles south of St Thomas’. That’s a big area!
This sort of mission reinforces how working together makes the difference.
Bravo 👏