Tanker Rescues Skipper from Burning Yacht Near Puerto Rico

On December 6, the crew of the tanker Orange Ocean rescued a skipper from a burning yacht, the Poesterd, approximately 420 miles north of Puerto Rico.

The rescue operation began after the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received a distress alert from an unregistered Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the USCG activated the Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) system, calling on nearby ships to assist.

Responding to the alert, the Orange Ocean reached the scene to find the yacht engulfed in flames and at risk of sinking. Acting swiftly, the crew launched a rescue boat and successfully saved the sole occupant of the yacht — a 53-year-old man from St. Kitts and Nevis.

The skipper was reportedly en route from Bermuda to St. Maarten when the incident occurred. Fortunately, he was rescued in good health and is now being transported to a safe location, the details of which have not yet been confirmed.

The Orange Ocean is a fruit juice tanker registered under the Liberian flag. Built in 2014, the vessel measures 170 meters in length, 26 meters in width, and has a gross tonnage of 22,687. The tanker's prompt response highlights the importance of the AMVER system, which allows vessels to provide critical assistance during maritime emergencies.

The cause of the fire aboard the Poesterd remains unknown, and no further information has been released regarding the condition of the yacht. However, the successful rescue of the skipper underscores the vital role commercial vessels play in maritime search and rescue operations.