On Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard along with the help of nearby research and fishing vessels, rescued 13 people, including a child, from a fishing boat moments before it sank.
Around 2 a.m. off the coast of Virginia, the crew of the 115-foot fishing vessel Tremont sent out a mayday call. They had collided with the 1,000-foot Panamanian container vessel the MSC Rita.
The Tremont was quickly taking on water and sinking rapidly. The mayday call was received by the USCG Virginia sector and nearby vessels Atlantis and Drystan. Atlantis, a 274-foot research ship from Falmouth, Massachusetts, was conducting research on methane gas seeping from the ocean floor and motored eight miles toward the scene.
The USCG sent an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from North Carolina, as well as a motorboat crew from Virginia for the rescue. The crew of the Tremont boarded a life raft, while their captain stayed aboard even as the vessel was taking on water.
The Atlantis launched a boat that towed the life raft to the Drysten, a fishing vessel that answered the mayday call. The captain was hoisted to safety by a basket from the USCG helicopter.
Moments after the passengers were rescued, the Tremont sank. No one was injured and the cause of the collision is being investigated.
In a statement released by the USCG Virginia sector, Capt. Jennifer Stockwell remarked, “These are the life-saving missions for which we train each and every day. While this morning’s events were unfortunate, 13 people were rescued from an extremely perilous situation. The combined efforts of good Samaritans and Coast Guard response assets demonstrates a selfless commitment to others.”
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