BOSTON — A rescue crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo assisted a disabled fishing vessel Saturday 40 miles south of Cape Ann.Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Boston received the call via VHF-16 radio Saturday at 10:40 a.m. from the captain of the Orion, a 79-foot fishing vessel out of Gloucester, stating the boat was disabled due to engine failure. Unable to hail any vessels in the area to assist, the Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo was launched to tow the Orion.Arriving on scene at approximately 4 p.m., the Key Largo crew safely put Orion into tow and set a course for Gloucester.
At approximately 7:45 p.m, the Key Largo passed the tow to the fishing vessel Captain Joe, who was scheduled to return the Orion and crew to their homeport in Gloucester early Sunday morning.
"Communication was key from the beginning to the end on this case," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Jess Himel, a watchstander at Sector Boston. "Coordinating a successful tow that involves three different crews only works if communication is clear."The Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo is a 110-foot Island Class Patrol Boat homeported in Gloucester.