The U.S. Coast Guard and local rescue crews plucked seven people from the ocean Sunday afternoon after their motorboat sank near Biddeford, according to the Portland Press Herald.
The 25-foot boat sank off Biddeford Pool, a tidal pool at the mouth of the Saco River. Biddeford police received a distress call from the operator of the boat, reporting he had lost power and that the boat was taking on water, around 3:45 p.m.
The Coast Guard launched a rescue boat from its South Portland Station and a fixed-wing aircraft from Cape Cod to the area. Saco Fire Department launched its own rescue boat.
The pilot spotted the sinking boat and directed rescuers to the spot, about 2½ miles offshore. The boat was completely submerged by the time rescuers arrived. The cause of the sinking hasn’t been determined.