BOSTON — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Spencer is towing the 95-foot fishing vessel Megan Marie, homeported in New Bedford, after it became disabled Sunday about 100 nautical miles east of Nantucket.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England’s command center received notification at approximately 7 a.m. Sunday from the Megan Marie's captain reporting the vessel, with six people aboard, was disabled due to a lost rudder.
The good Samaritan fishing vessel Jason and Danielle, the disabled vessel's sister ship, respond Sunday at about 2:30 p.m. and took Megan Marie into tow.
However, as the winds increased to 20-30 knots and the seas built to ten feet, the good Samaritan's tow line parted and Megan Marie's owner requested the Coast Guard take over the tow.
At approximately 4 p.m. Sunday, the Coast Guard Cutter Spencer, homeported in Boston, was diverted to assist the Megan Marie.
Spencer's crew took Megan Marie into tow Monday at approximately 6 a.m.
“As the weather worsened, it became necessary for us to take over the tow from the good Sam - which we did,” said Chief Warrant Officer James Deal, a watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England's command center. “Our crews constantly train and are always ready to operate in rough sea conditions.”
The Spencer is expected to tow the Megan Marie closer to Nantucket and transfer tow to a commercial salvage company, arranged by the owner, who will bring Megan Marie to port.