Two boys and an adult male appeared to be conscious, attempting to hold onto each other and drifting towards South Sound.

Bodden Town Police Officers, RCIPS Marine Unit, Enforcer 1, Fire Control Officers and Harbour Control were informed and dispatched. Jerome Begot of Cayman Helicopters was also informed and responded immediately.

With seas being very rough and dangerous an officer from RCIPS Marine Unit, along with an officer from the Fire Service, carrying life jackets, swam out towards the struggling family and successfully managed to get the two boys, aged 10 and 11 years, hoisted from the sea safely to the helicopter, one at a time.

The two boys were attended to by medics as they had suffered some cuts to their hands, feet and knees.

Approximately two minutes later the father of the boys was rescued by a Harbour Patrol vessel; he too had abrasions to his legs. All three were taken to George Town Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and released.

This incident occurred as the two boys were playing on the iron shore when they got carried out to sea by a strong wave. The father seeing his children in distress went in to rescue them only to find that he too was overcome by the rough seas. The family were visiting from the United States and staying in Cayman Kai.

"This could have been a terrible tragedy for this vacationing family and without the quick, brave responses of those individuals involved in this arduous rescue we could quite easily be reporting an entirely different story," said Commissioner of Police Stuart Kernohan.

"This happy ending is all down to great effort, communication and team work. Everyone involved should be very proud of their contribution and their actions. Once again this is an excellent example of a coordinated approach by the different Cayman Islands agencies including the use of air support. Well done to all involved!" he added.