Block Island Collision
On the evening of January 23, the 87 foot long, 297 gt scalloper Vanquish (IMO: 9633056) collided with the 55 foot long trawler Mattie and Maren II (MMSI: 367388850) in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 10 miles south of Block Island, Rhode Island. The two fishing vessels were operating in foul weather with six foot waves and winds reaching 25 miles per hour when they collided. The Vanquish was undamaged and there were no injuries to the 6 crew onboard. However, the Mattie and Maren II sustained hull damage resulting in uncontrolled water ingress. The 4 crew on board donned survival suits and prepared to abandon ship due to the flooding.
A distress call was sent out with the United States Coast Guard responding. The Coast Guard dispatched the 47 foot motor life boat from Montauk, New York along with a Jayhawk helicopter from Cape Cod. Within an hour the motor life boat reached the Mattie and Maren II and assisted in dewatering efforts. Unfortunately, the trawler was too far waterlogged and weather conditions were deteriorating. The four crew were transferred safely off the trawler to the motor life boat and later taken to Montauk. No reports of injuries.
The Vanquish was able to proceed under its own power to port in New Bedford. The Coast Guard issued out a marine alert that the trawler was adrift in the area.
There were no additional reports of the status of the Mattie and Maren II. It may be assumed the trawler sank after the incident. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
