Coast Guard rescue crews assisted a commercial fishing vessel on fire 35 miles southeast of Nantucket, Mass., Monday.
Watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England received a radio call from the 88-foot fishing vessel Raiders at approximately 8:40 a.m.
An Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter and Station Brant Point 42-foot Fast Response Boat launched to assist. The Coast Guard Cutter Seneca diverted from its patrol.
After the Raiders’ eight-person crew expended all fire extinguishers, they received assistance from a good Samaritan who supplied five additional fire extinguishers. The MH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter was able to monitor the response from overhead and remained on scene to assist if needed.
The Raiders crew was able to extinguish the fire, but was unable to get the engine working.
At approximately 11:40 a.m., the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca arrived to assist the vessel and established towing operations. The Raiders owner hired a tugboat company to meet the inbound Seneca offshore and take over the tow.
No pollution was reported.
“This is a great example of Coast Guard assets working with commercial fishermen and local partnership agencies for a successful outcome,” said Petty Officer 1 st Class Shannon Helly, an operations unit controller at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England command center.
Coast Guard cutters, boats and aircraft are on patrol in every community, saving lives and property, and safeguarding the Nation from threats from the sea. There are 36 cutters in the Northeast alone, serving a region that handles more than 3,000 search and rescue cases a year. Larger cutters like the Seneca are uniquely equipped to handle offshore search and rescue cases and larger vessels like the Raiders.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, February 5, 2013; Image: USCG