Coast Guard fire department rescue 3 from boat grounded off Gloucester

by Coast Guard First District Northeast on 10 Nov 2017 The Coast Guard and Gloucester Fire Department rescued three men Thursday from a lobster boat after it ran aground in the vicinity of Eastern Point Lighthouse. The lobster boat's owner hailed Coast Guard Sector Boston watchstanders on VHF Ch.16 at about 4:30 a.m. reporting his vessel was hard aground, and there were no injuries. A 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Station Gloucester launched and arrived on scene to find the lobstermen on the boat, in survival gear, and safe.

Due to the shallow water, first responders drove to Eastern Point Lighthouse and walked out to the lobster boat. Gloucester Fire Department members pulled the lobstermen off the boat safely, and transferred their care to Gloucester Emergency Medical Services personnel for evaluation.

Finding the lobstermen to be in good condition, another crew from Station Gloucester arrived in their government vehicle and brought the men back to the station to get warm. The Gloucester Fire Department crew also reported visible signs of pollution being discharged from a vent on the lobster boat. The crew quickly mitigated and secured the source of the pollution with oil absorbing pads. The boat's owner is coordinating with local salvage companies to remove the vessel during high tide.

The Coast Guard reminds mariners of the dangers that come with operating in high seas. Life jackets, donning survival suits in cold weather, operational VHF radios, EPIRBS (Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacon), and other safety equipment are vital to staying safe and receiving a prompt rescue during an emergency.