Crew Rescued after F/V Preamble Catches Fire

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.