A fisherman was rescued from a sinking 35-foot commercial fishing vessel Thursday just outside of Gloucester Harbor after the boat began taking on water.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston was notified at 8:23 a.m. that the fishing vessel Little Hunter was taking on water near Eastern Point in Gloucester Harbor. Coast Guard personnel from Station Gloucester launched a 25-foot Response Boat – Small and arrived at the sinking vessel at 8:33 a.m. Once on scene, rescue crews asked the operator to put on his lifejacket as they began to set up a pump to try and dewater the fishing vessel.
A Good Samaritan also responded to the sinking vessel and took the fisherman aboard just before the Little Hunter sank. The Little Hunter had approximately 40 gallons of diesel fuel on board, and Coast Guard personnel are monitoring the area because of the spill caused by the sinking.
The cause of the sinking is under investigation.
As with any industry on the water, commercial fishing can be a dangerous occupation. Safety and survival gear that were aboard the Little Hunter allowed the operator to summon assistance. The marine band radio, lifejacket and the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon assisted the fisherman in notifying the Coast Guard and ensured no one was seriously injured.
“I am very proud of the way the crews conducted themselves, and I am very glad that everyone made it home safely,” said Chief Warrant Officer Luis Munoz, Station Gloucester’s commanding officer .
“We aren’t just Coast Guardsmen,” said Munoz. “We’re members of this community and our most important goal is to ensure the safety of our crews, the commercial fishermen, and all boaters.”
The owner of the Little Hunter is arranging for commercial salvage to raise the vessel for repairs.
[mappress]
Source: U.S. Coast Guard, August 5, 2011;