Coast Guard assists disabled fishing vessel from New York to Rhode Island Sound (photos available)

Photo of Coast Guard crew preparing to tow fishing boat

BOSTON — A New Bedford, Mass., fishing vessel and its seven crewmembers are safe in port after the scalloper become disabled approximately 26 miles south of Montauk, N.Y., and was towed by a Boston-based U.S. Coast Guard cutter and commercial salvager, Thursday.

The crew of the 85-foot scalloper Paul & Michelle called Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center via VHF-FM radio around 2:30 a.m., for assistance after the boat lost engine power on their way back to homeport.

The Coast Guard issued a Marine Assistance Request Broadcast, asking mariners in the area to assist the adrift vessel. The command center dispatched a cutter crew who was on patrol nearly 60 miles away to assist the Paul & Michelle after they did not receive a response to the MARB.

The 270-foot Coast Guard Cutter Seneca towed the vessel through 20-25 knot winds and 5-8 foot seas to approximately three miles east of Block Island, R.I., where the commercial salvage vessel Hunts Girls met them around 8:30 p.m.

"We are very happy to have the fishing vessel Paul & Michelle and her crew safely in port,” said Cmdr. Charles Fosse, the commanding officer of the Seneca. “The formidable on scene weather with high seas and gusting winds made this a difficult towing mission and I'm very proud of my crew who executed their demanding roles professionally with positive results."

The Hunts Girls, based in Point Judith, R.I., completed the tow into New Bedford.

The Seneca crew has been on patrol within First Coast Guard District waters since Nov. 29, ensuring a safe, secure and reliable maritime environment that supports all businesses, large and small.

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