NEW YORK – The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish responded to a disabled fishing vessel approximately 75 miles east of Manasquan, New Jersey, Monday.
Watchstanders at Sector New York command center in Staten Island, received notification of an 82-foot fishing vessel in distress and requesting Coast Guard assistance.
Sector New York issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners, requesting boaters in the area to keep a sharp lookout for the vessel in distress.
Watchstanders established communications with the fishing vessel Relentless via satellite phone and confirmed there was a fire on board.
The Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat, was diverted to assist.
A good Samaritan aboard fishing vessel Polaris arrived first on scene and agreed to remain with the Relentless until help arrived.
Once on scene the Cutter Sailfish launched a small boat with a rescue crew to evaluate the conditions of the crew and inspect the sea worthiness of the fishing vessel.
“After the rescue crew determined the vessel was safe and deemed sea worthy, the master requested to remain aboard his vessel with his crew,” said Lt. j.g. Daniel Piazza, commander Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish. “We provided the crew with a radio and flashlights and set them up on a 30 minute communication schedule throughout the night.”
The Sailfish towed the fishing vessel Relentless to Cape May, New Jersey, where the tow was transferred to a commercial salvage company.
"I am very proud by the professionalism and specialty knowledge exhibited by the crew during this case,” said Piazza. “Everyone aboard Sailfish worked as a team to safely put the Relentless in tow and ensure the six members aboard made it home safely."