Cruisers Helping Cruisers: Successful Rescue Underway Off Trinidad

A disabled sailing vessel drifting north of Trinidad received timely assistance today after a coordinated response involving local maritime contacts, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, and a fishing vessel dispatched to provide a tow.

The approximately 50-foot sailing vessel S/V Vester Kyesten had lost engine power about eight nautical miles north of Trinidad’s First Boca. Strong currents were pushing the vessel farther away from the Boca and potentially toward the waters near Venezuela.

After receiving the emergency call, Jesse James, President of the Marine Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago, immediately began coordinating assistance. He contacted the Coast Guard, alerted the cruising community, established direct communication with the disabled vessel through Starlink, and arranged for a local fishing vessel to head offshore.

The fishing vessel Perverence responded and began making its way toward the yacht despite the distance and difficult timing. Jesse continued receiving updated coordinates and asked any vessels approaching Trinidad to maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 16 and assist if they were closer.

A welcome update soon followed:

The rescue vessel had S/V Vester Kyesten in sight.

The operation demonstrated the importance of reliable communications, local maritime knowledge, and people willing to respond quickly when a vessel is in trouble.

SSCA extends its sincere thanks to the captain and crew of the rescue fishing vessel for heading offshore to assist the disabled yacht. Their willingness to respond may have prevented the vessel from being carried farther from Trinidad and into a much more difficult situation.

Special thanks also go to Jesse James and the Marine Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago for their rapid coordination and continued support of visiting cruisers. Jesse’s ability to connect the distressed crew, Coast Guard personnel, local mariners, fishing vessels, and the wider cruising community helped turn an urgent call for assistance into another successful maritime rescue effort.

Additional shoreside assistance may be needed when the vessels arrive in Chaguaramas, including help from cruisers with dinghies in the water.

Today’s response reflects the best traditions of the maritime community:

Local mariners helping visiting mariners.
Cruisers helping cruisers.
And no vessel left alone when help can be found.Cruisers Helping Cruisers: Successful Rescue Underway Off Trinidad

A disabled sailing vessel drifting north of Trinidad received timely assistance today after a coordinated response involving local maritime contacts, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, and a fishing vessel dispatched to provide a tow.

The approximately 50-foot sailing vessel S/V Vester Kyesten had lost engine power about eight nautical miles north of Trinidad’s First Boca. Strong currents were pushing the vessel farther away from the Boca and potentially toward the waters near Venezuela.

After receiving the emergency call, Jesse James, President of the Marine Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago, immediately began coordinating assistance. He contacted the Coast Guard, alerted the cruising community, established direct communication with the disabled vessel through Starlink, and arranged for a local fishing vessel to head offshore.

The fishing vessel Perverence responded and began making its way toward the yacht despite the distance and difficult timing. Jesse continued receiving updated coordinates and asked any vessels approaching Trinidad to maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 16 and assist if they were closer.

A welcome update soon followed:

The rescue vessel had S/V Vester Kyesten in sight.

The operation demonstrated the importance of reliable communications, local maritime knowledge, and people willing to respond quickly when a vessel is in trouble.

SSCA extends its sincere thanks to the captain and crew of the rescue fishing vessel for heading offshore to assist the disabled yacht. Their willingness to respond may have prevented the vessel from being carried farther from Trinidad and into a much more difficult situation.

Special thanks also go to Jesse James and the Marine Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago for their rapid coordination and continued support of visiting cruisers. Jesse’s ability to connect the distressed crew, Coast Guard personnel, local mariners, fishing vessels, and the wider cruising community helped turn an urgent call for assistance into another successful maritime rescue effort.