Two lobster boats collided off South Bristol the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 19, and one of the vessels sank, according to U.S. Coast Guard Station Boothbay Harbor. There were no injuries.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England is investigating the cause of the accident. The names of the individuals and vessels involved are not being released, according to William Armstrong, officer in charge at Coast Guard Station Boothbay Harbor.
Around 8 a.m. Tuesday, the boats collided “3-4 miles” offshore, Armstrong said. The second vessel sustained only minor damage.
“Good Samaritans” on nearby lobster boats were able to retrieve the individuals involved, Armstrong said.
Armstrong said the two individuals on the vessel that went down were wearing appropriate safety gear and had a properly working radio, which “played a big part in why the collision had a positive outcome.”
“We never like to see the loss of personal property, but the most important thing is to get everyone home safe,” Armstrong said. “Their preparation, the proper safety gear and the working radio, helped to get that distress call out so that we could respond and so that other boats in the area could help out while we were on our way.”
