Tourist Dies While Snorkeling Near Waterlemon Cay

 

A Pennsylvania couple’s St. John vacation turned tragic on Sunday, January 13, when the husband never returned to Leinster Bay after snorkeling near Waterlemon Cay in V.I. National Park.

St. John Rescue officials found the body of Steve Rock, 60, of Enola, Pennsylvania in shallow water on the east side of Leinster point about two hours after he was reported missing.

A VINP Dispatcher overheard a missing person report called in to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector San Juan over marine radio around 1:38 p.m, explained VINP Acting Superintendent Mike Anderson.

“Our dispatcher overheard a call to the Coast Guard on the marine channel and there was a report of a missing person at Waterlemon Cay in Leinster Bay,” said Anderson.

“It was reported that a 60-year-old white male wearing black swimming trunks and snorkel gear was snorkeling with his wife when she became tired and swam back to shore without him while he continued to snorkel,” said the VINP Acting Superintendent.

The wife lost sight of her husband at one point and couldn’t find him even with the use of her binoculars, Anderson explained.

“She called for help and some boaters made the call to the Coast Guard that we overheard,” he said. “We dispatched a ranger around 1:50 p.m.”

The VINP ranger was dispatched in a vehicle out to Leinster Bay, located at the far east end of North Shore Road. The VINP Ranger requested St. John Rescue assistance, explained Anderson.

“We dispatched a ranger in a vehicle and the ranger requested St. John Rescue,” said Anderson. “They responded in their boat and the Coast Guard was preparing a helicopter if necessary.”

Rock’s body was recovered by St. John Rescue officials who found him in shallow water around 3:33 p.m., according to Anderson.

“The body was recovered by St. John Rescue who found him on the east side of Leinster point in shallow water in the narrows,” Anderson said. “The rangers were assisted by boaters with dinghies and the paramedics were there. They attempted resuscitation on board the St. John Rescue boat. They found him around 3:33 p.m. and he was pronounced dead at 5:05 p.m..”

The cause of death was unknown last week and will be determined by an autopsy, Anderson added.

While high surf closed Trunk Bay beach on Monday, January 14, the seas were not that rough on Sunday, according to Anderson, who didn’t believe that surf conditions were to blame for the VINP’s first fatality of 2013.

“There was definitely wind but I don’t think there was a high swell then,” said Anderson. “I think that he was snorkeling alone and there was no one that was watching him or able to come to his aid.”

Snorkeling and swimming can be more exhausting than one imagines and it’s always safe to stay with someone while in the water, Anderson explained.

“Swimming and snorkeling can be taxing activities and you’re in a new environment,” he said. “You have to always snorkel with someone — even if there are other people out there. They might not be paying attention to you. You need to have a snorkel buddy who is able to come to your assistance or call for help.”

Anderson praised the work of St. John Rescue officials.

“St. John Rescue is a great non- profit organization that has a lot of community support and we certainly enjoy working with them,” said the VINP Acting Superintendent.

Bystanders both onshore and on vessels in the area were a big help as well, Anderson added.

“As usual boaters in the area were of great assistance, as well as people on shore, to try to locate Mr. Rock,” he said.

Last year, three deaths occurred in VINP, at Solomon Beach, Leinster Bay and Honeymoon Beach.