Fire at Sea

Published on: August 25, 2024

Fisherman Sustains Severe Burns on the F/V Mariah K

On August 20, 2024, a fishing vessel caught fire about 50 miles off the coast of Brookings, Oregon. The MARIAH K was carrying three fishermen at the time of the blaze. Crew member Emanuel Silveira is currently in critical condition after suffering severe burns.

According to Petty Officer Briana Carter of the U.S. Coast Guard 13th District, the fire was reported by the nearby sportfishing vessel, ELI’S TIDE at approximately 8 p.m. The crew of ELI’S TIDE also assisted with rescue efforts.

The three fishermen jumped overboard and were rescued by a 47-foot motor lifeboat from the Chetco River Coast Guard Station. One rescued crewmember required a medevac by the Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay aircrew, and all three were transported to UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital in San Francisco. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Published on: August 13, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard Rescues 6 After Mayday Call from Burning Fishing Vessel

by Joseph Stacey

On Sunday August 11^th, 2024, at 8:56 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England command center watchstanders received a mayday call from the F/V THREE GIRLS stating that the vessel was on fire, and all aboard were preparing to abandon ship. The vessel was located about 105 nautical miles east of Portsmouth, New Hampshire at the time of the incident.

The First Coast Guard District command center also received an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) alert from the vessel. The trawler was carrying six people, including a NOAA fishery observer.

At 9 p.m., Sector Northern New England diverted the USCGC William Chadwick, a fast response cutter, to respond. An MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew and a HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod was also launched in an effort to provide aerial support.

Published on: September 20, 2022

Crew Rescued after F/V Preamble Catches Fire

by Joseph Stacey

On Wednesday, September 14^th, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued 2 crewmembers (and one cat) after the 49-foot F/V PREAMBLE caught fire. The vessel was located approximately 57 miles west of Gold Beach, Oregon at the time of the incident. A Coast Guard Air Station North Bend MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew hoisted the crewmembers and the cat from their life raft.

As a backup, a Sector Humboldt Bay MH-65E aircrew was also launched and sent to the location, which arrived just after the North Bend aircrew rescued the survivors. Thanks to the fast action by the U.S. Coast Guard and a sound life raft, all were rescued.

As colder weather approaches, all fishers and crewmembers are urged to make certain that EPIRBs, survival suits, life rafts, and other safety gear are in proper working order. Every crewmember must be properly trained, and safety procedures should be rehearsed. While work at sea is inherently dangerous, risk can be mitigated when proper safety procedures are followed.