But the boat’s operator, 37-year-old Bernard C. Taitano was issued an active citation for violating CNMI laws after Boating Safety officers discovered there was no boat registration on board.
Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Lei Ogumoro yesterday said DPS-Boating Safety received a call at 6:44 p.m. on Jan. 24, 2009.
“Immediately after receiving the call, Boating Safety officers launched their rescue vessel,” Ogumoro said.
The officers later spotted a flashing signal which led to the location of the distressed vessel.
Ogumoro said Taitano and his companion on the 15-foot white open motor boat, Christopher T. Camacho, were safe and appeared to be in good condition.
She added that police officers asked the two men from the vessel to wear life jackets before securing and mooring the vessel that was then towed back to Saipan.
Ogumoro said the boat’s occupants left Saipan to do some bottom fishing but they started to experience some difficulties in starting the boat’s engine when they were about to go return to the island.
That was when they called police for assistance.
