| Police officers praised for aiding grounded yacht |
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| Thursday, 08 March 2012 15:49 | |||
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Two Turks and Caicos Islands police officers are being praised for “going the extra mile” to help a grounded yacht off Middle Caicos over the weekend of March 4. After stopped in Providenciales to refuel, the 42-foot yacht Dubber Snr Duffour continued en-route to Tortola in the British Virgins Islands from Miami when it ran aground. Kent Fisher, the boat’s caption, and his three crew members were abandoned the yacht and took to a raft, which was spotted by a member of the public about three miles off the Blue Horizon Resort. Police were alerted, and a full scale rescue operation was launched involving the police Marine Division and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard helicopter located the raft and winched the foursome to safety. All were found to be in good health. Meanwhile, PC Winston Grant and District Constable Brody Forbes, who are both based on Middle Caicos, headed out to inspect the yacht in a small motorboat. Unable to get close to the vessel, the two officers anchored some distance away and swam to the yacht, which was taking on water and in danger of sinking. Once on board, the pair recovered a large number of items including laptop computers, cameras, navigation equipment, medicines, clothing and telephones. “What these two police officers did was beyond the call of duty, and I am really grateful to them for going the extra mile,” Fisher said. “They were forced to swim from their boat to the yacht in rough seas in a bid to save some of our personal items and that really was an act of professionalism, kindness and bravery. “I would like to thank (the officers) for what they did. They and all RTCI Police personal we dealt with were really helpful and efficient.” The vessel remains stuck on the reef, although preparations are being made for it to be towed into harbour to assess the damage. “This was an operation involving multi-agencies and one that was very effective,” said police Deputy Commissioner Brad Sullivan. “The most important thing is that all those on board were found safe and well and without injuries. “The police officers involved carried out their duties both efficiently and effectively, and I too would like to add my praise for the work done by (the officers) in particular.”
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