This article was sent to us by the US Embassy in Costa Rica.

Four Costa Rican fisherman are safe on dry land in El Salvador today, after a harrowing experience in the open ocean. Adrift at sea, they were rescued by the US Coast Guard cutter Boutwell, just moments before their fishing vessel sank.

Their ordeal began on January 17th, when the vessel, the Calypso IV, lost power. After sending distress calls, the ship was adrift for 5 days, and the men on board ran out of food and fresh water. Aware that the vessel was in danger, Costa Rica’s Coast Guard asked for assistance.

US military aircraft diverted from their anti-narcotic patrols to look for the crew, and found them on January 22nd. The pilot relayed their location to the Boutwell, which rescued them four hours later. The Calypso IV sank when it was towed.

US Air Force Captain Rafael Beltran coordinated the international and interagency efforts to rescue the men and assisted those who worked to narrow the search area by scientifically calculating the possible location of the fishing boat, based on its last known position as well as winds, tide and other data. He said he was impressed with how quickly their team shifted from their regular mission to interdict drug traffickers into a search and rescue operation:

“We were capable, we were there, and we were able to save lives. As a Latino from Puerto Rico, it makes me very happy to help our regional partners and work together in rescue missions as well as against illicit traffickers. From my duty station, I see international cooperation every day. With search and rescue missions, just like with operations against illicit traffickers, every agency and every country is needed.”

The Boutwell returned the men to the closest port today in El Salvador, where the Costa Rican government will coordinate their return home.