February 14, 2015
BOSTON — The Coast Guard responded to a sinking 35-foot fishing boat off the coast of Monroe Island, Maine, today.
At about 9 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England in Portland, Maine, received a call on VHF channel 16 from a crewmember aboard Loretta, homeported in Matinicus Island, that the boat was taking on water south of Monroe Island. Minutes later, the crew had abandoned the Loretta just before it sank.
A Coast Guard Station Rockland, Maine, crew immediately launched a 47-foot Motor Life Boat.
The nearby ferry Capt. Charles Philbrook overheard the distress call and dispatched a small boat which pulled the two men from the water.
Within minutes, the Station Rockland crew was on scene, took the lobstermen aboard, and transferred them to Station Rockland where they were treated by local EMS.
No injuries were reported.
“These are very lucky fishermen, who at the critical moment thought fast and did everything right. They called for help, had the right gear on board, and used it correctly,” said Chris Berry, operational unit controller at Sector Northern New England.
Sector Northern New England will monitor the sunken vessel for potential pollution or hazards to navigation. Neither were reported.
Water temperature on scene is 38 degrees, air is 5 degrees.