TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands — A multinational search-and-rescue operation has ended in a successful rescue after a 58-year-old Dominican man reported overdue while sailing from Tortola to St. Maarten was located aboard his vessel Thursday afternoon.

The United States Coast Guard confirmed that Peter Baron, who was the sole person aboard the 45-foot sailing catamaran Ocean Time, was located approximately 11 nautical miles west of Sint Maartenby a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft.

The aircraft crew spotted a man aboard a catamaran and observed him using the vessel’s emergency tiller to steer. The sighting came amid earlier reports that Ocean Time had experienced steering problems before and during its voyage from Tortola.

Following the sighting, Dutch Coast Guard and French rescue units moved toward the vessel. A Dutch Coast Guard marine unit arrived shortly afterward and confirmed that the vessel was Ocean Time and that the person aboard was Baron.

Authorities reported that Baron had no medical concerns or injuries, and that the vessel remained sufficiently seaworthy to be towed. The partially disabled catamaran was subsequently towed to Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten.

The Dutch Coast Guard also facilitated communication between Baron and his family, confirming that he was safe.

Search began after family raised alarm

The rescue followed an extensive search launched after U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan watchstanders received a call from concerned family members Wednesday night reporting Baron overdue.

Baron had reportedly left Tortola on Sunday as the sole person aboard Ocean Time, intending to deliver the vessel to its new owner in St. Maarten.

According to information provided to the Coast Guard, the journey was not his first attempt.

Approximately one week earlier, Baron had reportedly departed Tortola aboard the catamaran but encountered problems with the vessel’s steering system, forcing him to return to Tortola.

A local maritime agent later informed Coast Guard personnel that Baron had repaired the steering system before departing for St. Maarten again on Sunday.

The steering problems ultimately became a significant factor in the search, with the Coast Guard later observing Baron using the vessel’s emergency tiller to maintain control of the catamaran.

International effort stretches across Caribbean

The search involved multiple U.S., French, Dutch and Virgin Islands agencies, highlighting the extensive coordination required when a vessel is reported overdue in open Caribbean waters.

Assets and agencies involved included:

• U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan watchstanders
• U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen
• U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft
• Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Fort-de-France
• Rescue Coordination Centre Curaçao
• Dutch Coast Guard marine unit
• French rescue vessel Notre-Dame De La Garoupe
• Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR)
• Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA)
• U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC)

The successful rescue brings to an end an operation that had raised concern among Baron’s family and authorities across the region.

Coast Guard praises regional cooperation

U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Cmdr. Matthew Romano praised the personnel involved in the operation and the cooperation between the various agencies.

“I am incredibly proud of our Coast Guard servicemembers and commend the phenomenal efforts of our French, Dutch, and Virgin Islands partners, which ensured this mariner’s safe return to his family,” Romano said.

He also used the incident to remind mariners of the importance of preparing for emergencies before leaving port.

The Coast Guard stressed that boaters should carry reliable communication equipment and emergency signaling devices when heading offshore, noting that such equipment can prove critical when a vessel encounters mechanical problems or becomes overdue.

For Baron and his family, however, the multinational operation ultimately ended with the outcome everyone had been hoping for — his safe recovery.

The incident also serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by vessels travelling between the Virgin Islands and the northern Caribbean, where a mechanical failure can quickly become a life-threatening situation when a vessel is far from assistance.

Guavaberry Media will continue to provide updates on regional maritime safety and search-and-rescue operations.