PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire — Crews from the U.S. Coast Guard, New Hampshire Marine Patrol and a boater described by the Coast Guard as a “good Samaritan” rescued two people from a 23-foot fishing boat after it began taking on water just after noon Tuesday 12 miles south of Portsmouth Harbor.
A person aboard the Cecily Jane sent a radio distress call to Coast Guard Sector Northern New England at 12:07 p.m., and Coast Guard stations Merrimack River in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and Portsmouth Harbor each launched a 47-foot motor lifeboat, according to a news release from the Coast Guard.
New Hampshire Marine Patrol and another boater arrived first and stayed with the sinking vessel until the lifeboat from Newburyport arrived.
“The vessel was taking on water through the shaft,” Petty Officer 2nd Class Craig Bren, a crew member from Station Merrimack River, said in the news release. “The crew stopped the leak, dewatered the vessel and towed them back to [the Newburyport boat ramp] where the boat was trailered.”