UPDATE 2: Coast Guard rescues 3 in response to emergency distress signal activation near Port Isabel, Texas

UPDATE 2: Coast Guard rescues 3 in response to emergency distress signal activation near Port Isabel, Texas

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The fishing vessel Master D sank 58 miles from Port Isabel, Texas, Saturday at a depth of approximately 380-feet after burning for two days.
 
Marine Safety Detachment Brownsville investigation officers and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the incident.
 
The Coast Guard opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund in anticipation of mitigating any pollution threat to the environment. The incident is categorized as a major marine casualty.
 
An estimated 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 400 gallons of lube oil were onboard the vessel when it sank. No anticipated impacts to the shoreline are expected due to the distance offshore and the forecasted weather over the next several days.
 
The 68-foot Master D is a 122-gross ton fishing vessel homeported out of the Brownsville Shrimp Basin.
 
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Coho rescued the three-man crew from a life raft Friday after the fishermen activated their emergency position indicating radio beacon.  MSD Brownsville personnel were deployed and coordinated initial response efforts.
 
“The vessel had all the proper firefighting and lifesaving equipment onboard when the fire occurred,” said Chief Warrant Officer Steve Kilgore, Marine Safety Detachment Brownsville marine inspector. “This played a major role in ensuring the safe retrieval of the fishermen.”

-USCG-