By Jordan Biscardo, Seafarers International Union.
Four recreational sailors are safe, thanks in large part to the efforts of Seafarers International Union (SIU) members.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard report, the sailboat Mariposa had struck a submerged rock in the shoal area of the Silver Bank waters, north of the Dominican Republic. As the El Coqui was diverting and responding to the distress call, a nearby fishing vessel aided in retrieving the stranded men from their life raft in the shallow waters and then transporting them to the containership
The crew of the El Coqui at the time of the rescue included: Bosun Juan Carlos Negron Miro; ABs Rahsean Lillard, Michael Ross, Jorge Soler Solis, Erick Toledo Colon and Michael Wilt; QMEDs Kirk Chambers, Jose Alicea-Sanchez and Mark Dennison; Oiler Jose Borrero Rodriguez; Recertified Steward Jesus Pacheco; Chief Cook Steven Lopez Ferrer; and SA Pedro Maysonet Gonzalez.
Miro said, “As the boatswain of the El Coqui, and on behalf of my fellow union members who participated in the rescue, we feel happy and pleased with the work that was done during said rescue. It is an honor as SIU sailors to respond to the call for which we were prepared.”
The bosun continued: “My lifeboat course was around 20 years ago, but it all came back to me during the rescue, and definitely helped. The weekly drills that the crew performs on the vessel also helped greatly.”
The rescued men were David Potts, 63; John Potts, 62; Andrew Cullar, 26; and Russell Case, 67. The men each expressed gratitude to the entire crew for the rescue. Case was later identified as the brother of U.S. Congressman Ed Case (D-Hawaii), who has a history of opposing the Jones Act
Miro said, “The next time our union representatives go to Congress to defend the Jones Act, they should remind this congressman that his brother was rescued by the crew of a ship called El Coqui, and that it is made up of a crew that sails with great pride and honor under the Jones Act. Remind him that a ship that sails under this powerful law saved your brother.”
No medical concerns were reported among the rescued men, who were transported to Jacksonville, Florida, as the El Coqui resumed the scheduled run.
“This incident underscores the importance of proper emergency equipment for vessels at sea,” said Lt. Hannah M. Boyce, Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft commander for the incident. “We are all incredibly thankful those mariners were properly equipped. Helping those four sailors at their worst day at sea is why we fly.”
“This incident highlights the importance of having an emergency position indicating radio beacon that is fully functioning and registered in the NOAA database,” said Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Borders, Coast Guard Search and Rescue mission coordinator for the case. “Our deepest gratitude goes out to the crews of the fishing vessel Bonanza and of the motor vessel El Coquí for selflessly responding in keeping with the honor and tradition of the AMVER merchant vessels that come to the aide of fellow mariners in distress.”
This story originally appeared in the March 2025 edition of the Seafarer’s Log.
Come Aboard
"*" indicates required fields
