Coast Guard Towing Disabled Gloucester Boat

[jackdaniels]

Coast Guard Towing Disabled Gloucester Boat
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area
Courtesy Story
Date: 12.17.2009
Posted: 12.17.2009 07:15


BOSTON — The Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba is continuing to tow the Gloucester-based lobster boat that was disabled Wednesday with five people aboard more than 200 miles southeast of Nantucket, Mass.

Ten to 15-foot seas and 38 mph winds are keeping the Escanaba's towing speed at about 4 mph.

The crew of the Escanaba is working with the First District command center staff in Boston to determine the safest location to tow the Michael and Kristen to.

The master of the 77-foot lobster boat called for help at about 3:30 p.m., Wednesday when the boat's engines wouldn't start. The Rachel Leah, another fishing vessel in the area, answered the calls for help and began towing the Michael and Kristen. The Escanaba met both vessels around 9:30 p.m., Wednesday and stayed with them through the night.

Thursday morning the Rachel Leah's towline parted, so the Escanaba took over and the Rachel Leah departed.


Crew members aboard the Boston based Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba hold on to nets on the flight deck of the cutter when the ship rolls in 15 foot seas Thursday, Dec. 17. The 270 foot cutter is approaching a Gloucester, Mass., lobster boat that became disabled more than 200 miles southeast of Nantucket, Mass.


Crew members aboard the Boston based Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba prepare to tow a disabled Gloucester, Mass., lobster boat Thursday, Dec. 17. The 270 foot cutter came to the aid of the Michael and Kristen after it became disabled more than 200 miles southeast of Nantucket, Mass.