UPDATE: U.S. and Canadian coast guards rescue four from fishing boat south of Vinalhaven

Mon, 08/29/2016 - 4:15pm
    Four people safely made their way back to port Aug. 26, following a multi-asset response to a fishing boat taking on water that Friday morning about 60 miles southeast of Vinalhaven.

    A person aboard fishing vessel Tyler, homeported in Gloucester, used a VHF radio to contact watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England’s command center at about 7:30 a.m. and reported their boat was rapidly taking on water with four people aboard. The hailer reported they were using pumps, but were unable to keep up with the flooding.

    An MH-60 helicopter crew was deployed from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, a 144 Ocean Sentry crew arrived on scene shortly after 9 a.m. to provide additional dewatering pumps to the fishermen, who were able to dewater the boat and make repairs to stop the flooding.

    The Coast Guard Cutter Moray, a coastal patrol boat homeported in Jonesport, arrived on scene to assist Tyler’s crew in dewatering and making repairs. 

    “It was discovered Tyler’s shaft seal packing box had come off," said Seaman Amanda Geber, a crewmember aboard Moray, in a news release. "However, after dewatering the engine space, the crew was able to make repairs. After sea trials, it was determined Tyler could make it safely back to port on her own power. It was fortunate this case was concluded without loss of crew, vessel or catch."

    An Air Station Cape Cod 144 Ocean Sentry crew, Coast Guard Station Jonesport, a Canadian surveillance aircraft diverted from Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax, and a nearby high-speed ferry that runs from Portland to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, also responded to help.


    The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards responded Aug. 26, to a fishing vessel that was taking on water about 60 miles southeast of Vinalhaven.

    A person aboard the Tyler used a VHF radio to contact watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England’s command center at about 7:30 a.m. and reported their boat was rapidly taking on water with four people aboard. The hailer said they are using pumps, but are unable to keep up with the flooding.

    Air Station Cape Cod launched an MH-60 helicopter crew, and a 144 Ocean Sentry crew arrived on scene shortly after 9 a.m. to provide additional dewatering equipment.  The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax launched a Canadian aircraft to provide surveillance and keep location of the people.

    The RCC also put out a notice to mariners and a high-speed ferry that runs from Portland to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, responded and was on scene to help with dewatering.  

    The Coast Guard Cutter Moray, a coastal patrol boat from Jonesport, and a motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Southwest Harbor were also en route to help rescue the people.

    Tyler’s crew said they had a life raft and emergency position indicating radio beacon aboard.