St. Croix Rescue and DPNR, activated by the U.S. Coast Guard, rescued two divers swept away by rough surf from Hurricane Erin north of St. Croix.
ST. CROIX — Two men were rescued Saturday afternoon from rough seas north of St. Croix after being caught in dangerous conditions fueled by Category 5 Hurricane Erin.
The divers had gone out with a third companion roughly seven miles north of St. Croix. When the two failed to return to the boat at the agreed-upon time, the third man promptly called for help. The U.S. Coast Guard activated St. Croix Rescue and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) at approximately 1:38 p.m.
[Watch: Two Rescued from Rough Seas Amid Hurricane Erin’s Surge Near U.S. Virgin Islands]
Using GPS tracking data, responders were able to locate the two missing men around 3:24 p.m. According to rescue officials, the divers were unable to reboard their vessel due to high waves and rough currents, which caused them to drift.
“A helicopter was on the way to assist,” said Jason Henry of St. Croix Rescue. "However, we found them before the chopper arrived.”
While the two men were brought back safely, the incident serves as a serious reminder of the ongoing risks posed by Hurricane Erin, which remains a Category 5 hurricane as of Saturday evening. Both the National Weather Service and local emergency officials have issued repeated warnings against engaging in any ocean activity during the storm, including swimming, boating, and diving.
Erin’s outer bands have already begun to generate life-threatening surf and rip currents across the region, even though the storm's center remains far offshore. Local authorities continue to urge residents and visitors to stay out of the water and closely monitor updates from the National Hurricane Center and territorial emergency management agencies.
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