BOSTON — The Coast Guard responded to three people aboard a disabled recreation boat about a mile east of Scituate Harbor on Monday.
Coast Guard Sector Boston received a distress call via cell phone from the crew aboard the boat at about 4:40 p.m. They reported the 19-foot boat had suffered a broken fuel pump. They had neither radio nor anchor aboard and were drifting toward a rocky area of the harbor.
Coast Guard Station Scituate launched a 29-foot response boat crew who arrived on scene at about 5:20 p.m., put the vessel in tow, and returned them safely to Scituate Harbor.
"These three people were fortunate," said Lt. Jennifer Hertzler. "Any farther out, and they might not have been able to call for help on a cell phone." She said even during routine trips, it is important that mariners prepare for the worst case scenario. At a minimum, she said a marine radio and GPS are crucial in an emergency, to help rescuers pinpoint a location. It is also advised that mariners file a float plan and tell someone on shore where they are going and when they expect to return.