Three Fishermen Saved By Coast Guard After Vessel Capsized

Three fishermen were saved by the United States Coast Guard after their vessel capsized three miles southeast of Hilo. The fishermen were, luckily, able to retrieve a working cell phone from the vessel and hail a distress call to 911 around 1 a.m. on Wednesday July 15th. Two Coast Guard air crews were immediately dispatched to the location. By the time the fishermen were found, they had drifted 12 miles south of Hilo. All three were safely retrieved and transferred to a Hawaii county emergency medical service team, where they were reported to be in good condition. Charles Turner, a Coast Guard search and rescue coordinator, revealed how lucky it was to reach them via cell phone. “It [the cell phone] probably saved their lives… this case could have turned out a lot worse.”
The maritime lawyers at Beard Stacey Trueb and Jacobsen represent injured mariners throughout the nation in claims involving the Jones Act and General Maritime Law. For any questions regarding maritime law or injuries sustained while working aboard a vessel, contact us at 206.282.3100 or visit our website at atsealawyer.com.