Coast Guard Rescues Five From Sinking Fishing Vessel

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Five fisherman had to abandon ship and were rescued by U.S. Coast Guard crews Wednesday west of Cape Alava, which is south of Neah Bay.

According to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard, the 87-foot fishing vessel Sunnfjord flooded when its dewatering pumps failed and crew could not keep up with rising water. The fishermen called for help at about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday.

“While responders were in route, the fishermen reported they had their survival suits on, life jackets, that captain put his cell phone in a plastic bag to help keep it dry as they were experiencing issues with their handheld radio, and the water had risen in the engine room to above the floor boards,” the release stated.

Crews aboard the Coast Guard cutters Cuttyhunk and Swordfish, an MH-65 dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles, and motor life boats from Station Quillayute River and Station Neah Bay responded, as well as people in three private vessels.

The fisherman were transported to Coast Guard Station Neah Bay. None were injured.

The Sunnfjord sank approximately six miles offshore in about 300 feet of water with about 800 gallons of diesel reported aboard.

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