Local News

Coast Guard rescues six from life raft 105 miles off NH coast after boat fire

No major injuries were reported.

A boat fire caused four crew members, the captain, and a NOAA observer to abandon ship off the coast of New Hampshire Sunday, according to the Coast Guard. US Coast Guard

By Lindsay Shachnow

August 13, 2024

1 minute to read

The US Coast Guard rescued six people after a boat fire 105 nautical miles east of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, led them to abandon ship on Sunday, officials said.

At 8:56 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Northern New England command center watchstanders received a distress call from the fishing vessel, “Three Girls,” according to a statement from the US Coast Guard.

“We’re on fire, we’re going to be abandoning ship,” said the person making the distress call.

The boat fire caused four crew members, the captain, and a NOAA observer to abandon ship, the statement said.

At 9 p.m., a fast response cutter boat was sent to respond to the scene and aircrews from the Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod were launched to provide aerial support, the Coast Guard said.

At 11:30 p.m., all of the people onboard were recovered from a life raft and no major injuries were reported, according to authorities. The survivors were transferred to a pier in South Portland on Monday morning.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our crew’s swift response in this rescue,” Lt. Cmdr. Brent Lane, commanding officer of the USCGC William Chadwick response cutter boat, said in the statement. “This rescue highlights that preparation and proper gear are as vital as the bravery and professionalism our team consistently displays.”

Listen to the distress call below: