USCG Responding to Vessel Taking on Water

Fire extinguished, vessel dead in water

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said its crews are responding to a report of five mariners in distress aboard a vessel taking on water following a fire aboard the 70-foot boat, approximately 50 miles east of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Wednesday.

According to a USCG news release, watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified of the situation at approximately 8:47 a.m. Wednesday.  The mariner stated there was a fire aboard the vessel Belle-Amie, which had five people aboard.

As of 9:40 a.m., the five adults aboard extinguished the fire but the vessel continues taking on water. All five people have reportedly donned life jackets as a precaution. The mariners report the vessel has lost all power and is currently dead in the water.

Coast Guardsmen from Station Mayport are responding, along with the crew of the 85-foot Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback. Two Coast Guard helicopter crews were also launched and arrived on scene at 10:30 a.m.

A Good Samaritan aboard the 56-foot vessel Tippe Canoe is on scene providing assistance to the five mariners and has reported he will remain on scene until the Coast Guard arrives.

uscgnews.com