Fishing nets, life rafts, and debris from the 160-foot Ecuadorian fishing vessel Marujita float behind the capsizing vessel approximately 336 miles southwest of Clipperton Island, August 7, 2019. Twenty five crew members and 12 Coast Guardsmen who abandoned the Marujita and were rescued by the crew of the Coast Guard cutter after the 160-foot fishing boat listed and capsized. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo/Released).
A U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer from a Coast Guard cutter holds onto a crew member from the Ecuadorian fishing vessel Marujita as they are hoisted onto the cutter approximately 336 miles southwest of Clipperton Island, August 7, 2019. The crewman was one of 25 crew members and 12 Coast Guardsmen who abandoned the Marujita and were rescued by the crew of the Coast Guard cutter after the 160-foot fishing boat listed and capsized. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo/Released).
A crewman from the Ecuadorian fishing vessel Marujita clings to the hull of the capsized vessel approximately 336 miles southwest of Clipperton Island as a rescue swimmer from a Coast Guard cutter swims to his aid, August 7, 2019. The crewman was one of 25 crew members and 12 Coast Guardsmen who abandoned the Marujita and were rescued by the crew of the Coast Guard cutter after the 160-foot fishing boat listed and capsized. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo/Released).
ALAMEDA, Calif. – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 25 fishing boat crewmen and 12 Coast Guardsmen after the fishing boat they were aboard capsized and sank approximately 336 nautical miles southeast of Clipperton Island in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Wednesday.
Coast Guardsmen were conducting a routine boarding of the 160-foot Ecuadorian fishing vessel Marujita when it began listing and became unsafe to remain aboard. All fishing boat crewmen and Coast Guardsmen aboard the vessel abandoned ship.
A boat crew from a Coast Guard cutter quickly rescued 16 of the fishing vessel crew and Coast Guard members while 20 others climbed up nets hung from the side of the cutter. One Marujita crewman clung to the hull of the sinking vessel until he was rescued by the cutter’s rescue swimmer.
"Fast action by the cutter's crew resulted in a remarkable mass rescue in a dangerous and challenging situation," said Capt. Arthur Snyder, chief of operations for the 11th Coast Guard District. “Their decisive response reflects their training and dedication, and shows the types of dangers faced by Coast Guard crews deployed around the world protecting our nation.”
The cutter was in the region conducing a law enforcement patrol. There were no reported injuries. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
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