Crew Rescued After Fishing Vessel Sinks
The crew on the 34-foot fishing vessel Sea Scorpion were rescued after the “vessel sank rapidly after encountering rogue wave while maneuvering to haul lobster traps.”
A Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre [BMOC] spokesperson said, “406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon [EPIRB] satellite distress alert received at Rescue Coordination Centre [RCC] Bermuda from the 34 foot fishing vessel Sea Scorpion.
“Beacon position approximately 1.8 miles northeast of North Rock Beacon. EPIRB database emergency point of contact ashore for the Sea Scorpion contacted by RCC and confirm that vessel is offshore but not sure where exactly. Other emergency contacts ashore telephoned without result. Multiple attempts to raise Sea Scorpion on marine VHF radio and cellphone numbers on file also undertaken – with negative results.
“12:13hrs – Bermuda Radio issues an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast on marine VHF channel 16 and then channels 06 and 08. Two fishing vessels in the area respond and are proceeding to distress position. Royal Bermuda Regiment Coast Guard briefed with Rescue 1 proceeding from Boaz Island. RCC also brief pilot boat crew at Ordnance Island to be standing by given uncertainty of situation.
“12:50hrs – Rescue 1 in North Rock small boat channel outbound reports seeing a handheld flare. The RCC watchkeeper at the Maritime Operations Centre, Fort George also observes the smoke from the flare with binoculars but unable to determine exact flare position given heavy sea state with seas of 8-12 feet forecast.
“12:54hrs – Rescue 1 on scene recovering 2 crew from Sea Scorpion from the water. No medical attention required. Confirm vessel sank rapidly after encountering rogue wave while maneuvering to haul lobster traps. EPIRB distress alert was result of automatic beacon activation. Crew to be landed back ashore at Mills Creek. Urgency radio broadcast cancelled and all responding vessels thanked for help.”
Sorry to hear this and thanks goodness we were close enough to assist
Why were they trawling this close to our shores
Did you even read the report ?
They were working lobster traps not trawling and were at least 10 miles offshore . For a local boat this is not ‘close to our shore’ .
It says they were manouvering to pull pots. No mention of trawling.
Something fishy………..
Having been in an adverse boating event myself, I am glad that everyone is safe. Kudos to all involved in the rescue.