Galilee Fishing Boat Rescued 31 Miles from Block Island

GALILEE, RI—A fishing boat based out of Point Judith was assisted by the U.S. Coast Guard and a good Samaritan vessel in poor weather after becoming stranded about 30-miles off the coast of Block Island on Thursday.

The crew aboard the F/V Lois Virginia used a VHF-FM radio to contact Coast Guard watchstanders at around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday to report they had become disabled, according to a news release.

The crew of the nearby 87-foot F/V Sao Paulo overheard the transmission and offered to tow the disabled boat into port.

The Coast Guard’s 87-foot patrol boat Hammerhead was diverted to assist and escorted both fishing boats back to Point Judith.

A 45-foot response crew from Coast Guard Station Point Judith was also launched and took over the town near Block Island to escort the Lois Virginia the rest of the way to shore.

“Weather conditions were poor, with three to seven foot seas, visibility of less than one mile, and snow falling at times,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin Grant, of Station Point Judith, “It was a collective effort of both our crew and the good Samaritans to bring them home safely.”

A second good Samaritan crew aboard the fishing boat Matador assisted the Lois Virginia crew with their outriggers once the Lois Virginia was inside Point Judith Harbor.

Sector Southeastern New England has eight Stations, four Cutters, two Aids to Navigation teams, and two Marine Safety Detachment units, including Station Point Judith and the Hammerhead.