BOSTON – Coast Guard crews ensured a successful salvage operation of a 42-foot fishing vessel Saturday after it sank in about 70 feet of water at its mooring ball on Friday in Stonington, Maine.
Weather and nightfall prevented safe operations Friday, and salvage efforts resumed Saturday at 6 a.m. The fishing vessel has been successfully raised, de-watered, and dry docked at Billings Marina.
No injuries or significant pollution was reported.
Initially after sinking, a small sheen was observed in the area, as seepage from the ship’s vents was suspected. The owner contracted commercial divers Friday who made two initial attempts to secure the vents, but weather and nightfall prevented their attempts. Additionally, weather made booming operations unsuccessful.
"Our main concerns were crew safety and mitigating any potential pollution," said Lt. David Bourbeau, from the Sector Northern New England Command Center. "It was initially a very challenging evolution, and the owner took great precautions to ensure a safe recovery."
He said the cause of the sinking is under investigation.
"Additionally, we would like to extend our thanks to the Maine Marine Patrol and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection," Bourbeau said. "Throughout the last 24 hours they have been working with us side-by-side to oversee the safe recovery of the vessel and to protect our sensitive coastal
maritime environment."
Media are encouraged to contact Coast Guard Sector Northern New England at 207-767-0303 for more information.
BOSTON – Coast Guard crews ensured a successful salvage operation of a 42-foot fishing vessel Saturday after it sank in about 70 feet of water at its mooring ball on Friday in Stonington, Maine.
Weather and nightfall prevented safe operations Friday, and salvage efforts resumed Saturday at 6 a.m. The fishing vessel has been successfully raised, de-watered, and dry docked at Billings Marina.
No injuries or significant pollution was reported.
Initially after sinking, a small sheen was observed in the area, as seepage from the ship’s vents was suspected. The owner contracted commercial divers Friday who made two initial attempts to secure the vents, but weather and nightfall prevented their attempts. Additionally, weather made booming operations unsuccessful.
"Our main concerns were crew safety and mitigating any potential pollution," said Lt. David Bourbeau, from the Sector Northern New England Command Center. "It was initially a very challenging evolution, and the owner took great precautions to ensure a safe recovery."
He said the cause of the sinking is under investigation.
"Additionally, we would like to extend our thanks to the Maine Marine Patrol and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection," Bourbeau said. "Throughout the last 24 hours they have been working with us side-by-side to oversee the safe recovery of the vessel and to protect our sensitive coastal
maritime environment."
Media are encouraged to contact Coast Guard Sector Northern New England at 207-767-0303 for more information.