Four people are transferred from a sinking 30-foot recreational boat to Coast Guard Station Menemsha’s 47-foot Motor Life Boat off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard Thursday, July 17, 2017. (Photo by Lt. John Doherty, Barnstable County Sheriff)
BOSTON — The Coast Guard and partner agencies rescued five people Thursday from a recreational boat taking on water about one mile south of Squibnocket Point, Martha’s Vineyard.
The master of the 30-foot boat Cila radioed watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England on VHF Ch. 16 at about 3:30 p.m., reporting their vessel was taking on water, with five people aboard.
A 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Menemsha, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, the Barnstable County Sheriff’s office, and a commercial towing service from Falmouth responded to assist.
When responders arrived on scene, the Coast Guard boat crew transferred four of the five people to the 47-foot Motor Life Boat and began assisting the vessel.
With the master still aboard, the rescue crew was able to control the flooding and stabilize the boat for a return to port under its own power. The boat crews escorted the vessel back to Menemsha Harbor.
No injuries were reported.
