They say the fishing community is like a family and that was evident Wednesday morning after an incident.
According to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, at just before 4:00 a.m., Sector SENE received a distress call over Channel 16 of a vessel on fire, the Commercial Fishing Vessel (CFV) HADLEY RUTH, with its crew of three abandoning ship.
Sector SENE sent out an urgent broadcast and activated an MH-60 Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod and a Coast Guard boat from Station Brant Point in Nantucket. The CFV LIGHTNING BAY was also in the area, relaying vital information, and responded to the situation; the crew of the LIGHTNING BAY found the three crewmembers, who had abandoned ship, in a life raft and notified Sector SENE. The crew of the HADLEY RUTH were confirmed found, safe, with no medical concerns.
“The exceptional and rapid response conducted by the CFV LIGHTNING BAY is an example of how the maritime community comes together in times of crisis at sea, and emphasizes how important life-saving and communications equipment can be in saving lives,” said Commander Clifton Graham, SAR Mission Coordinator.
The Coast Guard is conducting an overflight to spot potential pollution and protect the maritime environment.
