Coast Guard crews rescued two mariners from a sinking vessel in Nasketucket Bay, four miles southeast of Fairhaven, Mass., Sunday.
Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England watchstanders received notification that a 20-foot fishing vessel was taking on water at 7:30 p.m. A Coast Guard Station Woods Hole 41-foot rescue boat crew and a MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod responded immediately. Local authorities including Fairhaven Harbor Master and Fire Rescue, New Bedford Marine Police and Towboat U.S. assisted in the search. The rescue helicopter crew located the mariners one mile from the last reported position and hoisted the two mariners from the water. The mariners were transported to Air Station Cape Cod where emergency medical services were waiting.
Both mariners we reported to be in good condition.
“Just a reminder to the general public, if you go out on the water you should take the requiered safety equipment and life jackets,” said Lt. John Harland, a Sector Southeastern New England watchstander. As water and air temperatures start to warm, the Coast Guard encourages the boating public and commercial mariners to remain alert and always have the correct life-saving gear aboard their vessel. With the right equipment, those in peril give themselves precious extra minutes for rescuers to arrive on scene.