During the early morning hours of August 17, the 30 meter long fishing vessel Min Long Yu 60877 (MMSI: 412445165) sank 6.5 miles off Dongding, Taiwan. The Min Long Yu 60877 had collided with another unidentified vessel and sunk. Authorities were alerted and dispatched three patrol vessels to the scene while nearby fishing vessels aided in the search for survivors. Four crew were later rescued from the water by the nearby fishing vessels. Authorities stated they plan to continue to expand the search and rescue operation. Reports state three crew are still missing.
On the night of August 12, the 81 foot long fishing vessel Three Girls (MMSI: 368140980) caught fire in the Gulf of Maine off Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The groundfish trawler had departed from Boston and was positioned some 100 miles east of Portsmouth when the fire broke onboard the vessel. The United States Coast Guard received a distress call from the Three Girls stating the vessel was ablaze and all 6 persons on board (the master, 4 crewmen and a NOAA observer) were abandoning ship. Authorities also received a signal from the Three Girls EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) giving its location.
The Coast Guard diverted the cutter William Chadwick along with launching a MH-60 Jayhawk and the turboprop HC-144 Ocean Sentry from Cape Cod. Additionally, the fishing vessel Princess Lauren diverted to aid in rescue efforts. Within two hours, the William Chadwick and the Princess Lauren were on scene along with the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. The cutter was able to recover all 6 people from the Three Girls. No reports of injuries. The cutter transported the survivors back to South Portland by the next morning. The cause of the fire has not been released. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Update: Reports that the Three Girls was lost was incorrect. Fireboats from Portland Maine were able to extinguish the blaze and take the fishing vessel under tow.
On July 31, the 21 meter long fishing vessel Second Chance ran aground in the Gulf of Mexico off Port Aransas, Texas. The shrimp boat had suffered engine problems and became disabled. The Second Chance went adrift and eventually went ashore on the beach. The United States Coast Guard dispatched a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter to the scene. The helicopter was able to pull off all three crew on board the Second Chance along with the two dogs onboard. No reports of injuries.
Authorities dispatched a response team to monitor the shrimp boat. They report there was no signs of any pollution released. Authorities have requested the vessel owner to salvage the vessel as soon as possible.
