WILLEMSTAD - On Wednesday morning, October 22, the Maritime Operations Center (MOC) of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard received a report about a local vessel with an NC registration number that had failed to return to Curaçao as scheduled earlier that morning.

The boat had departed on Tuesday, October 21, but did not come back as planned. According to the information received, two people were believed to be on board, although there was a possibility that a third person might also have been present.

Following the report, the Coast Guard immediately launched a search operation, deploying both a helicopter unit and a Dash patrol aircraft, while land patrols were sent to scan the coastline.

The helicopter conducted the initial search before returning to Hato Airport to refuel, while the Dash aircraft continued the mission throughout the afternoon and well past sunset.

At first light on Thursday, October 23, the Dash resumed its search and successfully located the missing vessel southwest of Curaçao, where three people were seen waving for help.

A helicopter and a Metal Shark patrol boat were quickly dispatched to the area. The helicopter arrived first and remained on scene until the Metal Shark crew safely retrieved the three individuals and secured their small vessel.

The rescued persons and their boat were then brought back to the Coast Guard Station in Parera. All three individuals were reported to be in good health after the rescue.

The Coast Guard praised the swift coordination between its air, sea, and land units, underscoring its ongoing commitment to ensuring maritime safety around Curaçao and the wider Caribbean region.