WILLEMSTAD – During the night from Sunday to Monday, the Coast Guard support base on Aruba received a report of a sailing vessel in distress. The captain reported that his sailboat was experiencing engine problems near Aruba.
The Coast Guard support base immediately dispatched a patrol vessel to the location to assist the sailing yacht White Cloud. Upon arrival, the patrol boat took the vessel, which had two people on board, under tow and escorted it safely toward Barcadera, where it was able to dock without further incident.
The Coast Guard once again advises all boat owners to carry out regular maintenance on their vessels. Boat operators are urged to ensure they have sufficient safety and rescue equipment on board, including life jackets, a flashlight, a first aid kit, adequate drinking water, a fire extinguisher, and a VHF radio or a fully charged mobile phone. Proper preparation can help prevent breakdowns at sea and avoid dangerous situations.
In case assistance is needed, the Coast Guard can be reached via the emergency number 913 or through WhatsApp at +5999 510 0913. The Coast Guard wishes all mariners a safe and pleasant journey.