SEATTLE — The Coast Guard rescued 10 people aboard a vessel in distress 25-miles southwest of Neah Bay, Thursday afternoon.
The crews aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Wahoo and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Station Neah Bay rescued four minors and six adults and escorted the vessel to Neah Bay with no reported injuries.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound responded to a distress call, at 10:15 a.m., from a person aboard the 33-foot recreational vessel, Doesn’t Matter, who reported to be taking on water southwest of Cape Flattery.
All ten persons aboard the vessel reportedly donned life jackets. The master of the vessel attempted to reduce the flooding by engaging the engine and remaining in motion, however, the engine failed and the installed bilge pumps were unable to handle the rate at which water was flowing into the boat.
Sector Puget Sound watchstanders coordinated with the Wahoo and diverted them from a routine patrol in the area, and launched a crew aboard a 47-foot MLB. They also directed the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and diverted another Dolphin helicopter from Sector Field Office/Air Station Port Angeles.
Crewmembers from the Wahoo launched their small boat with a rescue and assist team that deployed a P-6 dewatering pump to keep the vessel from sinking.
The small-boat crew was able to transfer eight passengers back to the Wahoo for safety, while two adults stayed behind to assist the team members as they worked to locate and secure the source of the flooding.
The source was reported to be a wash-down hose clamp which had broken off. The source was secured and the engine power restored.
The Wahoo escorted the vessel, under its own power, back to Neah Bay. There was no environmental contamination reported.
Coast Guard responded to a call for help from the vessel, which was reportedly taking on water.
U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Cutter Wahoo.
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