PORTLAND, Maine – The Coast Guard sent a fishing crew from Beals, Maine, back to port, Tuesday, because their lobster boat was missing important life-saving equipment while fishing about 17 miles southeast of Jonesport, Maine.
A boarding team from Coast Guard Cutter Moray, homeported in Jonesport, boarded the 38-foot boat Straight A’s around 11 a.m., and discovered the boat was missing a fire extinguisher and life raft, and the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon and its hydrostatic release were expired.
The 87-foot cutter escorted the Straight A’s to Beals, arriving around 5 p.m., Tuesday. The Straight A’s two-person crew was instructed not to get underway until they correct the discrepancies and complete a Coast Guard vessel safety exam.
“It’s important mariners have this equipment on board their vessel because it could save their life,” said Ted Harrington, the fishing vessel safety coordinator for the First Coast Guard District in Boston. “Not only does it need to be on their boat, it needs to be in good working condition and the entire crew needs to know how to use it.”
