Coast Guard assisting fishing vessel 40 miles south of Montauk, N.Y.

A Coast Guard helicopter rescue crew is enroute to assist a fishing vessel that is taking on water 40 nautical miles south of Montauk, N.Y.

The helicopter, from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, was expected to arrive on scene at approximately 4 p.m. to drop pumps to assist with dewatering.

Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound’s command center contacted the crew of the fishing vessel Johanna Lenore after overhearing a radio distress call. The vessel is reportedly taking on large amounts of water and its pumps are unable to keep up with the flooding. All four crewmembers have donned survival suits. They have an inflatable life raft and an electronic position indicating radio beacon.

The fishing vessel Shelby Ann is alongside and the crew has passed a pump to assist the Johanna Lenore with dewatering, reporting that the vessel appears “seriously unstable” and that water is currently over the stern. The Shelby Ann will remain alongside in the event the crew of the Johanna Lenore is forced to abandon ship.

The Coast Guard is continuing to contact good Samaritan vessels in the area to assist the Johanna Lenore. A 47-foot motor life boat crew from Coast Guard Station Montauk, is also enroute to assist and is expected to arrive on scene in several hours.