BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE fishing vessel on which the missing 18-year-old and his fellow villager were when it capsized at sea, has reportedly been found on Wednesday afternoon (Jul. 8) near the United States Virgin Islands.
SKNVibes understands that the unoccupied vessel was located by the Puerto Rico Air Guard some 10 miles off St. Croix. It was reportedly partly submerged and appears not to be salvageable.
On June 30, 18-year-old Wilson Caines and Chris Dorset, both of Dieppe Bay, had left the shore of that village on the same fishing boat and were some six miles out at sea.
District Commander for Division ‘B’ Superintendent Cromwell Henry told SKNVibes that the duo left at approximately 6:00 a.m. and about one hour later high winds caused the vessel to capsize, throwing them from it.
The vessel ultimately upturned but, because the motor was still running, it could not be caught by the men.
Both began to swim ashore but Caines reportedly gave up while Dorset, after more than 12 hours and a reported shark attack, was successful in swimming back to the island in the Lynches area.
He was however taken to the hospital for treatment.
The search for Caines by fishermen and the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard was conducted that afternoon into the evening and suspended until the following day.
Regional bodies, including the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and the St. Eustatius Coast Guard, joined the search which led to the vessel being located.
Meanwhile, Caines is yet to be located.
