safety steps

ABDF MEDIA RELEASE | Date: Friday 12th January, 2024 | 21OOhrs – At approximately 1415hrs on Friday 12th January 2024, the ABDF Coast Guard (ABDF CG) received a Marine Report from an officer of Barbuda Fisheries, relaying that FV MISS WEBBER encountered mechanical failure, and was at anchor, at position 17° 35.1OO’N 062° 07. 1OO’W; approximately 15NM West of Palmetto Point Barbuda .

Continued attempts were made to contact the reporting source for further information , which would assist in the rescue effort; however remained to no avail.

At approxima1ely 1442hrs, an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) was aired by the ABDF Coast Guard Operations Center over VH F-channel 16 at 5-minute intervals. The ABDF Air Wing (ABDF AW) made preparations to deploy the RAVEN I aircraft; in-tandem with the CG asset Delta 7 (CGD7).

RAVEN 1 deployed at 1600hrs and arrived over the search area at approximately 1615hrs; the distress vessel was immediately identified, however, the aircraft remained on scene until the CG vessel arrived. ABDF Coast Guard vessel CGD7 was deployed at 1604hrs arrived on scene at I712hrs.

The FV MISS WEBBER was located at position 17°56’N 062°. 11′ W. During that time FV LADY KIOSHA Ill made contact with the Coast Guard vessel and indicated that they were enroute to assist the distress vessel by towing it back to Antigua. The Coast Guard Vessel remained on-scene until FV LADY KIOSHA Ill arrived and took FV MISS WEBBER in tow.

At 1750hrs, CGD7 and RAVEN 1 left the search area enroute to Antigua and FV LADY KIOSHA Ill continues to tow FV LADY WEBBER back to Antigua at the time of this release.

The ABDF Coast Guard will continue to monitor the situation until both vessels arrive safely in St. John ‘s Harbour, and remains ready to respond to any emergencies within the sovereign waters of Antigua and Barbuda.