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  4. CBP Marine Unit Assists Parasailers near St. Thomas

CBP Marine Unit Assists Parasailers near St. Thomas

Release Date
Wed, 07/12/2017

ST.THOMAS, Virgin Islands — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) assisted 2 persons Tuesday morning that were parasailing near Frenchman’s Bay.

Marine Agents are vigilant to assist boaters in distress.
Marine Agents are vigilant to assist
boaters in distress.

“While patrolling our coast, Air and Marine Agents are always vigilant to respond to distress calls from people at sea,” stated Johnny Morales, Director of Air Operations at the CBP Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.

A Marine Interdiction Agent (MIA) crew spotted a parasail towing vessel go dead in the water with its parachute in the air. The crew observed the 2 people in the harness as the parachute dove into the water, immediately energizing the blue lights and increased speed to get to the people in the water.

The AMO crew reached an elderly male and elderly female in the water wearing life vests, retrieving the male out of the water. The female was pulled out by the servicing vessel.

The couple had no injuries and were in good spirits.

AMO is a federal law enforcement organization dedicated to serving and protecting the American people through advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities. With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft, and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments at and beyond the border, and within the nation's interior.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021