Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Kydon

In a commendable display of teamwork, the United States Coast Guard worked alongside local park rangers and the ferry Kydon to perform a daring rescue of six migrants stranded off Sardinera Beach, Mona Island, Puerto Rico, on September 18, 2023. The operation was initiated after a boat capsized near the island's perilous reef line late on September 17, leaving four men and two women in distress. These individuals comprised two nationals from the Dominican Republic and four from Cuba. The Coast Guard's San Juan watch standers received an urgent call around 11:30 p.m. from the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources Park Rangers. The rangers had reported hearing cries for help and seeing a distress flare in the vicinity. Promptly, the Coast Guard diverted the Cutter Margaret Norvell and deployed a HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from Air Station Borinquen while broadcasting an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) to alert nearby vessels. Fortunately, the ferry Kydon, currently en route near Mona Island, responded swiftly to assist. Upon arriving at the scene, Coast Guard aircrew illuminated the area using an MK-124 flare, successfully locating a swimmer in distress attempting to reach the island. A rescue boat from the ferry Kydon was dispatched, successfully retrieving the individual from the water. Shortly thereafter, the Cutter Margaret Norvell arrived and embarked the rescued person, who provided information about additional migrants in peril. The Coast Guard aircrew proceeded to locate the remaining five individuals safely on Sardinera Beach, where they were met by responding park rangers. Fortunately, no injuries or medical emergencies were reported in this incident. Moving forward, the transfer of the rescued migrants is being coordinated with agents from the U.S. Ramey Sector Border Patrol in Puerto Rico, ensuring that they receive the necessary support and assistance.

In a dramatic rescue effort on December 1, 2020, U.S. Coast Guard teams swiftly responded to reports of a capsized vessel in the treacherous waters of the Mona Passage near Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico. Initial accounts indicated that ten individuals were aboard the boat when it overturned, leading to the rescue of four men, while six others remain unaccounted for. The cause of the incident is still under investigation. The ordeal began at approximately 11:05 p.m. when the ferry 'Kydon', en route from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic, notified Coast Guard Sector San Juan of multiple people spotted in the water, about eight nautical miles west of Desecheo Island. Following this, the 'Kydon' crew successfully rescued two individuals before Coast Guard watchstanders quickly diverted the Coast Guard Cutter 'Joseph Napier (WPC-1115)’ to the scene to assist with recovery operations. A search helicopter, the MH-65 Dolphin, was also deployed to further aid in locating any additional survivors. As the operation progressed, at 7:54 a.m. on December 1, a Good Samaritan aboard the recreational vessel 'Kiara' reported recovering two more individuals from the water. The 'Joseph Napier' met with the 'Kiara' and transferred the newly rescued survivors aboard. Disturbingly, the survivors were reportedly not wearing life jackets and exhibited signs of dehydration and sunburn, highlighting the dangers posed by unexpected maritime disasters. The response involved not only the Cutter 'Joseph Napier' but also assets from Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, including several helicopters and an HC-130 aircraft from Air Station Clearwater, Florida, working in unison to ensure the safety of those affected by this tragic event.

On the evening of December 6, 2019, a critical rescue operation unfolded approximately 10 nautical miles north of Manati, Puerto Rico, as US Coast Guard air and surface teams teamed up with the crew of the 'Kydon' to save two individuals from a sinking catamaran. The distressed vessel, a 36-foot catamaran named 'Blue Cocktail', was en route from the Dominican Republic to the British Virgin Islands when it began taking on water dangerously fast. At 7:24 p.m., the watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan received an urgent mayday call on VHF Channel 16, triggering an immediate response. The Coast Guard promptly dispatched an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from Air Station Miami, launched a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Borinquen, and sent a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Boat Station San Juan to locate the distressed boaters. To further ensure a swift rescue, watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) to alert nearby maritime traffic. The crew aboard the 'Kydon' received this UMIB and quickly altered their course towards the scene. As the situation escalated, the woman aboard the 'Blue Cocktail' leaped into the dinghy, which began drifting away, while the man stayed behind, desperately trying to manage the flooding. Ultimately, he too had to abandon ship as the catamaran became partially submerged. Upon reaching the location, the HC-144 aircraft spotted the man in the water and the woman safe in the dinghy. The Coast Guard helicopter soon arrived, directing the response boat to the survivors. The collaboration among the Coast Guard aircraft and the 'Kydon' proved crucial, as detailed information from the latter helped locate the submerged catamaran. Once rescued, the survivors were quickly transported to San Juan, where they were handed over to Customs and Border Protection personnel without any reported medical issues. For additional details, including photos and videos, visit: https://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-good-samaritan-rescue-2-from-sinking-catamaran/2019/12/07/