Nine people aboard a sinking sailboat in Christiansted Harbor were rescued Sunday by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the V.I. Police Department’s Marine Enforcement unit and a passing boater.
According to a VIPD news release, the owner of the sailboat was taking his vessel from Christiansted Harbor to the yacht club under sail, with eight passengers onboard. He attempted to sail through a marked cut within the east end reef. (Marker are daytime buoys.)
The police said the sailor misgauged his approach to the marked cut and attempted to sail away from the reef. Due to high winds the boat ended on the reef.
At approximately 7:20 p.m., the Marine Unit notified DPNR Marine Enforcement of a sinking vessel. Both agencies responded with DPNR taking the lead on the rescue.
A good Samaritan with a small boat was able to reach all nine of the sailboat’s passengers. All nine were placed unto the DPNR patrol boat and brought back to shore.
There were no reported injuries. The sailboat remained on the reef until 1 p.m. Monday when it was to taken to Green Bay Marina.
DPNR is leading the investigation.
The boat wasn’t taken to “Green Bay Marina”, whatever that is – it was towed back to Teague Bay and placed back on its mooring.
“(Marker are daytime buoys.)”. It was a “Daymark” on a fixed post, not a “bouy”. Bouys float. What distinguishes this marker as a daymark is that it is intended for use only during the daylight hours, as it is not lighted, unlike the lighted green “Coakley Bay Light 1”. In fact, the mark at the “Cotton Valley Cut” isn’t even an official aid to navigation, and does not appear on nav charts.
Unmarked, narrow and shallow. Certainly not wise for a deep draft vessel. Perfectly good, safe entrance @ Coakley. Glad no one was injured (except the pride and wallet of the boat owner…)