The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) is searching for one of their officers who is missing at sea after he became trapped in a sinking vessel.
According to a media release from the TTCG, on Thursday, a vessel was intercepted by a Coast Guard patrol boat, and three foreign nationals were removed and taken aboard the patrol boat for safekeeping, as the vessel of interest had begun taking on water.
While the foreign nationals were being transferred, two Coast Guard officers remained on board the vessel searching for the possibility of other persons on board. However, rough seas caused the vessel to suddenly submerge.
The sailor above deck was thrown into the water, while the other became trapped inside as the vessel sank from sight. The Coast Guard officer who was thrown into the water was quickly retrieved, and search efforts are ongoing for the unaccounted sailor.
The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard says further details on the incident will be provided as the situation develops.