Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Lei Ogumoro said DPS received a call at about 8:22 a.m. on Thursday from the Emergency Management Office regarding a distressed vessel located between the Anatahan and Sariguan islands, about 84 miles northwest of Saipan.
She said DPS Boating Safety and EMO personnel immediately launched a vessel to respond to the call for assistance.
“We also notified the U.S. Coast Guard about the incident,” Ogumoro said.
She added that the vessel, a 20-foot white boat with a 200-horsepower engine, was located northwest of Sariguan at 7:13 p.m on Sept 12.
The boat’s passenger, 54-year-old James David Kerley, was found to be in good condition.
“When rescuers arrived alongside the distressed vessel, they learned that the shaft of the boat’s engine broke down,” Ogumoro said.
She added that the vessel was towed back to the Smiling Cove Marina on Saipan at around 8:33 a.m. on Friday.
Ogumoro added that the vessel was inspected and found to be in compliance with CNMI and federal boating safety laws. No citations were issued.
Kerley left Saipan on Monday, Sept. 8, for bottom-fishing and trolling.
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, during his fishing trip, he experienced engine problems.
He said he tried to notify EMO through the single sideband radio but there was no response.
It was only on the following day when he was able to contact EMO, he told DPS.
