First District Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard
News Release
2 fishermen rescued from vessel taking on water (photos and audio available)
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BOSTON — The Coast Guard assisted two fishermen after their fishing vessel began to take on water nine miles east Kennebunkport, Maine, Tuesday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received a call at 7:20 a.m. from the 81-foot fishing vessel Plan B reporting that they were taking on water and pumps were unable to keep up with the flooding. The men were donning survival suits.
The Coast Guard immediately launched an Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, a Station Portsmouth Harbor, N.H., rescue boat crew, a Station South Portland, Maine, rescue boat crew, and diverted the crew of the cutter Tahoma. The Coast Guard also issued an urgent marine information broadcast asking boaters in the area to assist the fishermen.
The crew of the fishing vessel Cameran Lee responded to the UMIB and safely transferred the two fishermen from the Plan B to their vessel.
Weather on scene was 10 to 15-knot winds and two-foot seas.
The Tahoma and Station South Portland are currently on scene monitoring the situation.
"This rescue highlights the importance of communication in an already hazardous environment," said Lt. Nick Barrow, command center supervisor at Sector Northern New England. "The value of good Samaritans in our tight-knit community is invaluable."
The Coast Guard protects roughly 20,000 commercial fishing vessels in the northeastern U.S. and encourages fleets to prepare for the unexpected as the season continues.
The Plan B is still afloat and crews are arranging commercial salvage. There were no injuries or pollution reported.
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