Coast Guard, partner agencies save 5 from sinking boat off Martha's Vineyard

united states coast guard 

News Release  

July 13, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast
Contact: 1st District Public Affairs
Office: (617) 223-8515
After Hours: (617) 717-9609

Coast Guard, partner agencies save 5 from sinking boat off Martha's Vineyard

A 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Menemsha dewaters a sinking 30-foot fishing vessel off Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts Thursday, July 17, 2017. The vessel was able to return to Menemsha Harbor under its own power. (Photo by Lt. John Doherty, Barnstable County Sheriff) Four people are transferred from a sinking 30-foot recreational boat to Coast Guard Station Menemsha's 47-foot Motor Life Boat off the coast of Martha's Vineyard Thursday, July 17, 2017. The vessel was dewatered and returned to Menemsha Harbor under its own power. (Photo by Lt. John Doherty, Barnstable County Sheriff)

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high-resolution version.

BOSTON — The Coast Guard and partner agencies rescued five people Thursday from a recreational boat taking on water about one mile south of Squibnocket Point, Martha's Vineyard.

The master of the 30-foot boat Cila radioed watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England on VHF Ch. 16 at about 3:30 p.m., reporting their vessel was taking on water, with five people aboard.

A 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Station Menemsha, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Cape Cod, the Barnstable County Sheriff's office, and a commercial towing service from Falmouth responded to assist. 

When responders arrived on scene, the Coast Guard boat crew transferred four of the five people to the 47-foot Motor Life Boat and began assisting the vessel. 

With the master still aboard, the rescue crew was able to control the flooding and stabilize the boat for a return to port under its own power. The boat crews escorted the vessel back to Menemsha Harbor.

No injuries were reported. 

 

-USCG-