The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a 68-year-old man who was lost for over 30 hours while surfing on Jan. 9 near Surfer’s Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
A Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew rescued the 68-year-old surfer, who was in stable condition, and safely transported him to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at the air station, according to a press release. The Coast Guard San Juan Sector received notification that the 68-year-old male was missing on the evening of Jan. 9 after an Airbnb host said he had not returned home.
The man’s daughter later provided information confirming that her father had gone surfing in the vicinity of Surfer’s Beach at noon on Thursday and had not been heard from since, prompting the Coast Guard to enter the distress phase and issue an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast. The Coast Guard helicopter conducted shoreline and offshore searches north of Aguadilla. The Puerto Rico Police Department, Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA), U.S. Border Patrol, and local emergency responders also assisted in the search, according to the same press release. (RELATED: Over 80 People Sickened By ‘Gastrointestinal Illness’ On Florida-Based Cruise Ship)
During the search, the helicopter crew noticed an individual matching the description of the missing 68-year-old man attempting to signal for help. Due to sea conditions, surrounding rocks, and reefs, the helicopter crew conducted a hoist mission and safely rescued the stranded surfer. The surfer had been missing for over 30 hours, CBS News reported.
🚁🌊 TEAMWORK SAVES LIVES⁰After 30+ hours missing, a stranded surfer near Surfer’s Beach, Aguadilla was rescued through flawless coordination between Coast Guard watchstanders, aircrews, and federal, territorial, and local partners.
Press release: https://t.co/k0UsMoXhrE⁰#USCG pic.twitter.com/ROikaTIrcF— U.S. Coast Guard Southeast (@USCGSoutheast) January 10, 2026
Capt. Robert Stiles, the deputy sector commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan and search and rescue mission coordinator for the case, labeled the mission a “terrific outcome.”
“What a terrific outcome! We activated the interagency search and rescue effort as soon as we received the information, especially after realizing that it had been more than 24 hours.”
“It was truly a team effort, and I appreciate the responsiveness and professionalism of Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, the Sector San Juan Command Center and our local emergency responders. This case could have easily had a different outcome. We urge all mariners and anyone entering the water to have a plan, communicate your intentions with someone and wear all proper life-saving equipment,” Stiles said via the release.
Video shared on X by the Coast Guard’s Southeast District shows the moment the stranded surfer was rescued.
“I’m sure he’s dehydrated, I’m sure he’s had a rough night, but he’s conversant. We’re gonna have paramedics standing by to check him out, but he’s alive and well,” Stiles can be heard telling the 68-year-old man’s daughter.
“Oh my gosh, thank you so much, thank you so much! Thank you so much for what you [did] for him,” the man’s daughter responds.
The Coast Guard did not publicly identify the 68-year-old man in its press release.
The Coast Guard did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.