COAST GUARD RESCUES FOUR RHODE ISLAND LOBSTERMEN FROM SINKING BOAT

Boston -The Coast Guard plucked four lobstermen from the sea when their lobster boat sank Thursday, about 40 miles south of Block Island, Rhode Island.

Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England received a distress call at about 4:15 a.m. from the four-man crew aboard the Sakonnet Lobster that the 60-foot boat was taking on water.

The Coast Guard First District Command Center in Boston launched a MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter rescue crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod. The 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Chinook also made way to the Sakonnet Lobster’s position.

At about 6:40 a.m., the Sakonnet Lobster crew had donned their survival suits and abondoned ship. The aircrew arrived on scene, and hoisted all four fishermen safely aboard by 7 a.m. They made way to Air Station Cape Cod where EMS awaited. No injuries were reported.

The Sakonett Lobster sank in about 250 feet of water, and the Cutter Chinook marked its last known position. The boat was from Sakonnet, Rhode Island.

The weather onscene was 30-knot winds, 6-foot seas. The water temperature was 64 degrees. The air was 59 degrees.

«These are very lucky, but also very prepared fishermen,» said Lt. Matt Vanderslice, the aircraft co-pilot from Air Station Cape Cod. «They had all the right gear onboard, it worked, and they knew how to use it – That’s why they’re safely back on land today.»

As America’s maritime first responder, the Coast Guard’s First District rescues 350 people in distress annually.