Fishermen Rescued After Abandoning Burning Boat Southwest Of Nantucket

Three fishermen were rescued off Nantucket early Wednesday morning after they abandoned their burning vessel approximately 25 nautical miles southwest of the island.

The three crew members of the Hadley Ruth, a 65-foot fishing vessel, issued a distress call around 3:55 a.m., reporting that the boat was on fire and that they were abandoning ship.

Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England responded by dispatching a MH-60 helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod, as well as a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Brant Point on Nantucket. While the Coast Guard helicopter was en route to the last known position of the Hadley Ruth, another fishing vessel that happened to be in the area, the Lightning Bay, responded to the situation and located the three crew members of the Hadley Ruth in a life raft.

The crew of the Hadley Ruth was "confirmed found, safe, with no medical concerns," Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England stated in a press release.

"The exceptional and rapid response conducted by the CFV Lightning Bay is an example of how the maritime community comes together in times of crisis at sea, and emphasizes how important life-saving and communications equipment can be in saving lives," said Commander Clifton Graham, SAR Mission Coordinator.

The three fishermen were returned to Point Judith, Rhode Island, according to Coast Guard Station Brant Point master chief John Lowell. He added that the Lightning Bay had rescued the three fishermen before his crew had even gotten underway from Nantucket Harbor.

The Coast Guard is conducting an overflight to spot potential pollution and protect the maritime environment.