MEDIA AVAILABILITY: U.S., Canadian Coast Guards, Royal Canadian Air Force, rescue 31 fishermen from sinking vessel off Nova Scotia

News Release

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

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: U.S., Canadian Coast Guards, Royal Canadian Air Force, rescue 31 fishermen from sinking vessel off Nova Scotia

WHO: U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod air crews.

WHAT: Air station crews will be available for interviews following an international rescue of 31 fishermen approximately 130 miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Tuesday. Video of the rescue will be shared once it is available.

WHEN: Wednesday, at 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, located inside Joint Base Cape Cod, on Connery Ave, in Buzzards Bay, MA.

Editor's Note: Media interested in attending should RSVP with PA3 Briana Carter at (617) 717-9609, and plan to arrive at the Joint Base Cape Cod gate by 4 p.m. to gain access to the base. Media are required to wear masks at all times while on base and have a government-issued photo ID, press credentials, proof of vehicle registration and insurance.

BOSTON- The U.S., and Canadian Coast Guards, and Royal Canadian Air Force rescued 31 fishermen from a disabled, Canadian fishing vessel over 130 miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Tuesday night.

At 7:05p.m., Tuesday, the Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax notified watchstanders at the Coast Guard First District Command Center that the 143-foot vessel, Atlantic Destiny, was disabled with a fire on board, and was taking on water.

A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing crew, and two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews launched and arrived on scene.

A Royal Canadian Air Force CH-149 helicopter crew from 14 Wing Greenwood, in Nova Scotia, Canada, hoisted six crewmembers from the vessel, and dropped off two search and rescue technicians to assist in dewatering the vessel.

The U.S. Coast Guard Jayhawk crews hoisted another 21 fishermen between the two helicopters. All hoisted crewmembers were taken to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, where they were transferred for any medical treatment.

The remaining four crewmembers and two SAR technicians ceased dewatering efforts and were transferred to the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Cape Roger.

The vessel owner is coordinating any salvage efforts.

The weather on scene was 35 mph winds and 15-foot seas.

 

-USCG-