BOSTON – The Coast Guard rescued four people from a New Bedford-based fishing vessel that ran aground on Brenton Reef, near Castle Hill, R.I., Wednesday.
The fishing vessel Sao Jacinto, a 66-foot trawler, notified Coast Guard Station Castle Hill via radio that they had run aground with four people on board at 12:50 a.m.
Station Castle Hill launched their 25-foot response boat that arrived on scene at 1:24 a.m. After arriving on scene the station boat crew worked with commercial salvage to take the four people back to the station where they are safe.
An Air Station Cape Cod Falcon jet over flew the scene this morning and confirmed the presence of an oil sheen in the water near the vessel, though the size and source is still being evaluated.
A Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England response team is on scene and the investigation is on going.
On scene weather is 1-to-2-foot seas, 10-knot winds, with 10 miles visibility.
“We are going to determine the source of the oil sheen and minimize impact to the environment,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris S. Shore at Station Castle Hill. “We are glad the the fishermen are safe, and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to get the boat free and respond to any pollution that may exist.”
