U.S. Attacks Prompt Coast Guard to Halt Search for Abandoned Boat Crew
The U.S. Coast Guard announced the cessation of its search for individuals in the Pacific Ocean following recent U.S. military actions targeting alleged drug trafficking boats.
Details of the U.S. Military Actions
On Tuesday, U.S. armed forces attacked a convoy comprising three suspected drug trafficking vessels. This operation occurred in international waters. During the attack, three individuals were killed aboard one of the boats, while the crew members from the other two vessels abandoned ship.
Search and Rescue Operations
After the attack, U.S. Southern Command informed the Coast Guard to initiate search and rescue operations. However, specific details regarding the location of the attack were not disclosed.
Coast Guard’s Search Efforts
- The Coast Guard coordinated over 65 hours of search operations.
- The search area extended approximately 400 nautical miles southwest of the Mexico-Guatemala border.
- Resources for the search were severely constrained due to the distance and operational limitations.
Suspension of the Search
On Friday, the Coast Guard officially suspended search efforts, stating that continuing would not be feasible. Captain Patrick Dill of the Coast Guard explained that suspending a search is never a simple decision. He emphasized that the extensive search efforts yielded no positive leads.
Dill noted that the chances of survival diminished significantly due to time elapsed and environmental conditions faced by individuals in the water.
Conclusion
The Coast Guard remains alert for any new developments but emphasized the current low probability of a successful rescue.
