College of the Atlantic students rescue two fisherman from boat fire
“At approximately 9:15 a.m., Station Southwest Harbor received a mayday call on Channel 16 reporting a fishing vessel on fire with two persons on board,” the United States Coast Guard (USCG) said.
The boat was approximately 18 miles off shore when the mayday call occurred. The Coast Guard has not released the name of the boat or the name of the people on it.
“Members of the COA Edward McC. Blair Marine Research Station on Mount Desert Rock station observed a nearby lobster boat with smoke coming from the cabin. The station also monitored VHF radio transmissions to the United States Coast Guard from the vessel in distress. The initial observation soon turned into visible flames,” College of the Atlantic Dean of Communications Rob Levin said.
The group on the island rushed into action.
“Three of the station crew launched a boat to assist while others maintained visible contact and also made contact with the USCG,” Levin said. “Station crew members soon located the crew, who were already in the water.”
Speaking for the college, Levin continued, ”The fishing vessel crew were pulled aboard the launch and transported back to the island. On the way back to the island, the crew passed another vessel and requested that they update the USGC.
“Once on the island, MDR (Mount Desert Rock) crew members treated minor injuries, gave the crew dry clothes, made contact with the families of the affected crew, and awaited a USCG rescue vessel.”