Vessel Sinks Along Coast

Coast Guard units from Mass., have assisted a leaking fishing vessel today, resulting in three fisherman being evacuated from their craft shortly before it sank. Coast Guard assistance began at 3 a.m. when the Sea Trek reported it was taking on water near Chatham, Mass. A 44-ft. Coast Guard rescue boat arrived on scene and gave the Sea Trek crew a dewatering pump. The crew of the fishing vessel was able to use the pump to bring the water level down and allow their vessel to function properly. The Coast Guard escorted the Sea Trek to Race Point. After reaching Race Point, a communications schedule was set up with the Coast Guard to ensure the Sea Trek was proceeding in a safe manner. At 12:55 p.m., the Sea Trek was twenty miles off Nantasket Beach when their generator and pumps failed and the boat once again began taking on water. Two 47-foot rescue boats and a Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod were sent to the Sea Trek's position. The helicopter lowered another pump to the Sea Trek to help the crew decrease the water in the vessel, since the original pump had become inoperable. One Coast Guardsman from the 47-foot rescue boat went aboard the Sea Trek to assist with the pump. Since the pumps were unable to keep up, the engine room of the Sea Trek was sealed off. The helicopter transferred the three person crew and the Coast Guardsman off the vessel and flew them to Station Gloucester. The 47-foot rescue boat took the Sea Trek in tow and began towing the vessel to Gloucester. The Sea Trek then began to list, so the crew of the 47-footer then cut the tow. The Sea Trek is currently sinking 8 miles south east of Gloucester Harbor. No injuries were reported.