ICYMI: Terrifying Collision at Sea—Four Fishermen Rescued Off Rhode Island Coast!
A high-stakes Coast Guard rescue saved four crew members after two fishing boats collided in rough seas off Rhode Island. 🌐 #News #WesterlyRI #RhodeIsland #Rescue
WESTERLY, RI – A late-night collision between two fishing boats off the coast of Rhode Island led to a dramatic rescue operation that saved four lives. The incident unfolded Thursday night, approximately 10 miles south of Block Island, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. High seas and strong winds added to the chaos, making the rescue effort both urgent and perilous.
Coast Guard Responds to Distress Call
The Coast Guard reported receiving a distress call around 8:30 p.m. from the scene of the collision. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound quickly mobilized a response team, dispatching a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Montauk and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod.
One of the vessels involved, the 87-foot scalloper Vanquish, reported no injuries or significant damage to its six crew members. The other vessel, a 55-foot trawler named Mattie and Maren II, was not as fortunate. The crew of four aboard the smaller boat reported severe flooding in the engine room and an inability to keep up with dewatering efforts.
Crew Prepares for Worst-Case Scenario
Faced with worsening conditions, the crew of the Mattie and Maren II donned survival suits and prepared emergency equipment, including an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and a life raft. These precautions were vital as abandoning the ship remained a real possibility.
When the Coast Guard motor lifeboat arrived on the scene around 9:15 p.m., one of its crew members boarded the Mattie and Maren II with a P-6 dewatering pump. However, the deteriorating weather, with waves reaching four to six feet and winds gusting at 23 miles per hour, thwarted efforts to save the vessel.
Dramatic Rescue Caught on Video
A video released by the Coast Guard captured the heart-pounding moments as the four crew members of the Mattie and Maren II were transferred to the Coast Guard lifeboat. The rough seas caused the vessel to rock violently, further complicating the rescue effort.
All four individuals were safely transported to Coast Guard Station Montauk without injuries. Meanwhile, the Vanquish returned to its homeport in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Coast Guard Praises Crew Preparedness and Response Teams
Lt. Jonathan Roth, a command duty officer at Sector Long Island Sound, commended the crew of the Mattie and Maren II for their readiness in a statement.
“The quick thinking and preparedness of the crew, including donning survival suits and readying emergency equipment, played a crucial role in their safe rescue despite challenging conditions,” Roth said.
“I commend the exceptional teamwork and expertise of our Station Montauk and Air Station Cape Cod crews, whose swift actions and professionalism brought all four mariners to safety amidst challenging seas.”
Investigation and Safety Measures
A marine safety information broadcast was issued for the Mattie and Maren II, now adrift in the area.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation, as authorities work to understand what led to the dangerous incident.
RELATED TOPICS: Accidents | New York | Rhode Island
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