Units of the Colombian Navy assisted 12 people who were drifting aboard a yacht named Sharky 39, nine nautical miles northeast from Barranquilla - Atlántico.
The search and rescue operation began last night, when the Caribbean Coast Guard received the call from a relative who informed about the emergency of the boat, which would have been adrift, with 12 people on board (10 adults and 02 minors), during its transit from Cartagena to Santa Marta.
The search and rescue protocols established by the Colombian Navy, through its Coast Guard and Naval Aviation operational components, were immediately activated in order to safeguard human life at sea. In the same way, the search effort was coordinated with the Maritime Traffic Control Stations of the Port Authority of Barranquilla and communication was established with boats in the area to support the detection of the ship.
About midnight, members of the Santa Marta Coast Guard Station arrived at the scene of the emergency, carrying out the inspection of the boat and the passengers. Due to the heavy weather conditions in the area, the personnel could not be evacuated, so the boat was towed to Santa Marta. Upon arrival at a safe port, the rescued began their assessment by medical personnel to verify their health condition.
The Colombian Navy, through the Coast Guard Units of the Caribbean Naval Force, continues to carried out maritime control and surveillance operations, in coordination with local and regional authorities, in order to safeguard human life at sea. It in the same way invites citizens to enjoy the tourist season in the Colombian Caribbean, complying with all maritime safety regulations.
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia