USCG Assists Distressed Vessel off Massachusetts

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) rescue crews assisted a fishing vessel in distress by air-dropping de-watering pumps after the 53-foot Canadian flagged vessel Island Cruiser collided with the 120-foot converted ferry vessel Esperanza June 26, 2014.

Watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England received notification that the Island Cruiser was being towed by the Esperanza and the tow broke causing the collision and resulting in a hole above the water line on its port quarter.

After the collision, the onboard pumps on the Island Cruiser could not keep up with the flooding. Rescue crews from Air Station Cape Cod launched an MH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter with two additional pumps aboard. The pumps were dropped and the vessel reported that the flooding was being controlled. A second aircrew with an HC-144a Casa Aircraft was launched and escorted the vessel at approximately 2:30 p.m.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Hammerhead took over the tow at approximately 4:00 p.m. and further escorted the vessel to Nantucket, Massachusetts.

"The Island Cruiser was safely towed to Nantucket at approximately 3:00 a.m., Friday," said Lt. Dan Ippolito, the command duty officer at the 1st Coast Guard District in Boston, Massachusetts. "We used multiple assets and multiple crews to get these guys home." 

The 1st Coast Guard District's area of responsibility spans from the Canadian border to Northern New Jersey.