ANTIGUA & BARBUDA SEARCH AND RESCUE

One man was rescued, while two others are still missing at sea after their sport fishing vessel, Just Whiskey, capsized off Diamond Reef. Wayne Adams was rescued by Toby Folkes and other bird watchers aboard the Ocean Venture on Tuesday morning at about 10:30.

Folkes said he spotted a bright orange vest floating in the water and later saw a hand come up. He went to investigate and found Adams. They helped him aboard the Ocean Venture.

According to Folkes, Adams told him he and two others had been returning from St Maarten but were flung overboard after a seal on the drive shaft came loose. Yet to be found are Derrick Matthias and Theo Prophet. 

Adams, although dazed and dehydrated, was able to tell emergency personnel that the boat went down at about 6:30 pm on Sunday, about seven miles northwest of Diamond Reef.

At around 7:00 pm they tried to summon the coast guard by calling 911, but no one showed up.

Adams said all three men had been wearing life vests and at first they tied themselves together so no one would drift off. However, Matthias and Prophet wanted to seek medical attention, and so untied themselves and went in another direction.

According to Folkes, Adams told him that about 15 minutes before the rescue, a shark had been eyeballing him.

When rescued, Folkes had not had anything to eat since Sunday, and could not manage to keep down any water.