Coast Guard Crews Escort Sinking Fishing Vessel to Shore

By Bay City News Service:

U.S. Coast Guard crews and firefighters from around the Bay Area helped to rescue a fishing boat that was taking on water near Alcatraz Island on Wednesday afternoon.

The Coast Guard sent two rescue boat crews after receiving a distress call from a 49-foot fishing vessel that was taking on water near Alcatraz Island at 1:28 p.m. Wednesday.

Marine units were also dispatched from fire departments in San Francisco, Tiburon and Richmond, according to the Coast Guard.

The fishing vessel was taking on water faster than its pumps could bail the water out, so two Coast Guard crew members boarded the vessel with additional dewatering pumps. That made it possible to escort the vessel to San Francisco’s Pier 45, according to Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Whitlow.

The Coast Guard urges mariners to make sure they’re ready for emergencies by keeping communications and life-saving equipment in operable condition.

For more information on safe boating practices, people can go to www.uscgboating.org.

(Image via Shutterstock)