ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard is responding to a boat fire near Port Townsend, Wash., Monday.
Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound was notified of the fire at approximately 1:30 p.m. and sent the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Swordfish, homeported in Port Angeles, Wash., and an MH-65 helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles to assist the local fire department with containing the blaze. the vessel’s owner confirmed nobody was aboard the 40-foot sailing vessel.
Attempts to put out the fire have failed and the boat is now adrift over 117-feet of water. The Swordfish crew has established a safety zone to keep anyone from getting too close to the vessel, which will be allowed to burn. Effects upon the marine environment are expected to be minimal as there is little fuel aboard the vessel.