Coast Guard tows disabled fishing vessel with 30,000 lbs. catch off New Hampshire coast

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 11/11/2017 09:40 PM EST

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Nov. 11, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast
Contact: 1st District Public Affairs
Office: (617) 223-8515
After Hours: (617) 717-9609

Coast Guard tows disabled fishing vessel with 30,000 lbs. catch off New Hampshire coast

Petty Officer 3rd Class Anderson Ernst uses a line throwing gun to help pass the tow line to the 65-foot fishing troller, Black Beauty, on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, off the coast of New Hampshire. Coast Guard cutter Campbell, homeported in Kittery, Maine, towed the vessel to Gloucester, Massachusetts. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) The crew of Coast Guard cutter Campbell puts the 65-foot disabled fishing troller Black Beauty into tow about 30 miles off the coast of New Hampshire, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. Campbell, homeported in Kittery, Maine, towed the vessel to Gloucester, Massachusetts. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) 


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

BOSTON — The Coast Guard towed an adrift 65-foot fishing troller to Gloucester Harbor after becoming disabled about 30 miles off the coast of New Hampshire, Friday.

Unable to receive help from a sister ship and concerned about the impending weather, the captain of the vessel, Black Beauty, contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, at about 4:45 p.m. He reported their transmission stopped working, there were five people aboard, and they had 30,000 lbs. of catch on board.  

Coast Guard Cutter Campbell responded to the distress call and got underway from their port call in Boston. The crew arrived on scene at about 3:30 a.m., Saturday, and took the vessel in tow.

"Campbell's crew performed exceptionally well under adverse offshore weather conditions early this morning," said Cmdr. Mark McDonnell, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Campbell. "They persevered through 25-30 knot winds, 6-8 foot seas, and near zero degree wind chills to get to the Black Beauty and safely put her in tow. I am glad we could help bring the crew, boat, and catch home safe."

The cutter crew towed the vessel towards Gloucester, where they met up with a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Station Gloucester. The boat crew took over the tow and is en route to Gloucester Harbor.

No injuries were reported. 

The catch was reported to be in good condition.

The Black Beauty is homeported in Scarbrough, Maine.

The 270-foot Coast Guard Cutter Campbell is homeported in Kittery, Maine with a crew complement of 100. 

 

-USCG-