Survivor of capsized boat off Fort Pierce Inlet told rescuers his sister among missing, crew says
The survivor of the capsized boat off Fort Pierce told crew members who rescued him that his sister was with him and remains unaccounted for, according to ABC News. The Coast Guard will continue to search for the 38 other people believed to be missing in a “suspected human smuggling venture.” So far, an area the size of New Jersey has been searched and debris fields have been found.A body was recovered as the Coast Guard continues to search.Stay informed: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News”It is dire,” Commanding Officer Captain Jo-ann Burdian said. “Every moment that passes, it becomes much more dire that anyone could survive in those conditions.”The most important thing for us is to find them as quickly as possible.”A man who had been clinging to a capsized boat was rescued by a good Samaritan Tuesday, officials said.The good Samaritan was on a route to Jacksonville with his commercial boat. The name of the ship is “Signet Intruder,” which is a part of the Signet Maritime Corporation.Officials are not releasing information about the survivor’s identity, as he is being interviewed by Homeland Security since the case is suspected for human smuggling. “These are very dangerous criminal organizations that are involved in this sort of activity so it’s certainly common and certainly coming from the Bahamas toward South Florida is a common smuggling route,” said Anthony Salisbury, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in South Florida.The survivor reported he left Bimini, Bahamas, with 39 other people Saturday night and they hit severe weather, causing the boat to capsize. The man said no one was wearing life jackets.That survivor is currently being interviewed by Homeland Security Invstigations.Video above: Wednesday’s press conference from Coast Guard The survivor was brought to a local hospital for symptoms of dehydration and sun exposure. Officials said he is in stable condition.Coast Guard air and surface asset crews continued to search for people overnight and throughout Wednesday. The U.S. is leading the search and rescue assets and officials said no foreign governments are working with them at this time.The ages and national identities of the missing people have not yet been released. Coast guard and Department of Homeland Security officials are asking any family members of people on board to give them a call. Homeland Security Investigations can be reached at 866-347-2423.DHS leaders say boats used for human smuggling are often overcrowded and try to avoid being spotted by anyone during their voyage. They say you should call authorities if you see a boat that might be being used for human smuggling. This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
The survivor of the capsized boat off Fort Pierce told crew members who rescued him that his sister was with him and remains unaccounted for, according to ABC News.
The Coast Guard will continue to search for the 38 other people believed to be missing in a “suspected human smuggling venture.” So far, an area the size of New Jersey has been searched and debris fields have been found.
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A body was recovered as the Coast Guard continues to search.
Stay informed: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
“It is dire,” Commanding Officer Captain Jo-ann Burdian said. “Every moment that passes, it becomes much more dire that anyone could survive in those conditions.
“The most important thing for us is to find them as quickly as possible.”
A man who had been clinging to a capsized boat was rescued by a good Samaritan Tuesday, officials said.
The good Samaritan was on a route to Jacksonville with his commercial boat. The name of the ship is “Signet Intruder,” which is a part of the Signet Maritime Corporation.
Officials are not releasing information about the survivor’s identity, as he is being interviewed by Homeland Security since the case is suspected for human smuggling.
“These are very dangerous criminal organizations that are involved in this sort of activity so it’s certainly common and certainly coming from the Bahamas toward South Florida is a common smuggling route,” said Anthony Salisbury, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in South Florida.
The survivor reported he left Bimini, Bahamas, with 39 other people Saturday night and they hit severe weather, causing the boat to capsize. The man said no one was wearing life jackets.
That survivor is currently being interviewed by Homeland Security Invstigations.
Video above: Wednesday’s press conference from Coast Guard
The survivor was brought to a local hospital for symptoms of dehydration and sun exposure. Officials said he is in stable condition.
Coast Guard air and surface asset crews continued to search for people overnight and throughout Wednesday. The U.S. is leading the search and rescue assets and officials said no foreign governments are working with them at this time.
The ages and national identities of the missing people have not yet been released.
Coast guard and Department of Homeland Security officials are asking any family members of people on board to give them a call. Homeland Security Investigations can be reached at 866-347-2423.
DHS leaders say boats used for human smuggling are often overcrowded and try to avoid being spotted by anyone during their voyage. They say you should call authorities if you see a boat that might be being used for human smuggling.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
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