Coast Guard Rescues Fishing Boat Stranded Near Block Island

NEWPORT, RI—The U.S. Coast Guard came to the rescue of a 50-foot fishing boat that became disabled in rough seas and strong winds 10 miles east of Block Island on Saturday.

U.S. Coast Guard Crews from Station Castle Hill in Newport helped tow Tamara to safety after its captain issued a distress call on a VHF channel at around 8:30 am. stating that the vessel’s navigation equipment had failed and he was having trouble steering.

The call came as a major winter storm was arriving and crews encountered winds of 30 to 40 knots with gusts up to 55 knots and seas of 12 to 17 feet and building when they arrived to the scene at around 9:45 a.m.

The Station Castle Hill 45-foot Response Boat Medium was accompanied by a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Menuemsha, Mass. Though the crew was not in immediate danger, the Coast Guard said, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod was launched as a precaution.

“”The incoming storm is expected to be significant,” said Chief Petty Officer Joshua Herman, the Command Duty Officer at Sector Southeastern New England. “Any vessels in its path should make a course to port as soon as possible.”

The Tamara was due to arrive at the Newport State Pier at around 3 p.m.