STONINGTON, Maine — A 42-foot fishing vessel that sank on Friday in Stonington has been successfully raised without any significant pollution, according to information released Saturday evening by the Coast Guard’s Sector Northern New England Command Center in Boston.
The Marley Gabriella sank in about 70 feet of water at its mooring ball, according to Lt. David Bourbeau of the command center.
The Coast Guard oversaw the salvage operation which was completed Saturday afternoon.
No one was aboard the boat when it sank, but it did have nearly 700 gallons of diesel fuel on board, Bourbeau said.
Initially after sinking, a small sheen was observed in the area, as seepage from the ship’s vents was suspected.
“Our main concerns were crew safety and mitigating any potential pollution,” Bourbeau said in the press release. “It was initially a very challenging evolution, and the owner took great precautions to ensure a safe recovery.”
The owner, who was not named in the release, contracted commercial divers Friday who made two initial attempts to secure the vents, but weather and nightfall stymied their efforts. Additionally, weather made booming operations unsuccessful.
The salvage effort resumed at 6 a.m. Saturday and by mid afternoon the Marley Gabriella had been raised, de-watered and was taken to drydock at Billings Marina in Stonington.
No injuries or significant pollution were reported, according to Bourbeau.
The cause of the sinking is under investigation, he said.
“Additionally, we would like to extend our thanks to [members] of the Maine Marine Patrol and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection,” Bourbeau said. “Throughout the last 24 hours they have been working with us side-by-side to oversee the safe recovery of the vessel and to protect our sensitive coastal maritime environment.”
