SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued six people Sunday after a boat fire led them to abandon ship 105 nautical miles east of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The fishing vessel Three Girls, an 81-foot trawler, had four crew members, the captain, and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration observer onboard, the Coast Guard said Monday in a press release.
Coast Guard Sector Northern New England command center received a mayday call at about 8:56 p.m. from the Three Girls stating the vessel was on fire and they were making preparations to abandon ship. The First Coast Guard District command center also received an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon from the vessel, the release stated.
Sector Northern New England diverted a fast-response cutter ship called the William Chadwick to respond. The Coast Guard also launched planes to provide aerial support.
At 10:30 p.m., all Coast Guard assets along with the Three Girls' sister ship, fishing vessel Princess Laura, arrived on scene and confirmed all six people were onboard a life raft, the Coast Guard said. The William Chadwick launched its small boat to recover the survivors while an MH-60 Jayhawk plane waited on standby if immediate medical care was needed, according to the release.
At 11:30 p.m., all six survivors were recovered onboard the William Chadwick. No major injuries were reported, the Coast Guard said.
On Monday morning, the crew of the William Chadwick transferred the survivors to a pier in South Portland, according to the release.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our crew’s swift response in this rescue,” Lt. Cmdr. Brent Lane, commander of the William Chadwick, said in the release. “Their dedication and skill were crucial to the successful outcome, but it’s also a stark reminder of the importance of having the right safety equipment at all times. This rescue highlights that preparation and proper gear are as vital as the bravery and professionalism our team consistently displays.”
