Coast Guard rescues fishermen and dog from stranded ship
WACHAPREAGUE, Va. -- The Coast Guard has rescued three fishermen and a dog after their boat became disabled off the coast of Virginia as Hermine pounded the region.
CBS affiliate WKTR reports that the 60-foot commercial fishing vessel ran aground shortly before 3 a.m. on Saturday. They were located about two miles off of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
The vessel eventually freed itself. But two hours later, the crew discovered serious damage to the rudder. The boat also was taking on water.
A Coast Guard crew first used a motor boat to reach the crew in 12 to 15-foot seas. But they soon realized that towing the vessel back to shore was not an option. There was no way to steer the vessel.
A helicopter eventually rescued the crew of the disabled fishing boat. It remained adrift Saturday afternoon.
The fishing vessel, called Storm, holds approximately 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel, WKTR reported.
“Complicated heavy weather events like Post Tropical Storm Hermine require difficult decisions, and in this case, the captain and crew decided to abandon the vessel, possibly saving their lives,” said Capt. Rick Wester, Commander, Sector Hampton Roads. “We’re very glad we were able to return them to safety and that they are doing well.”