4 saved from sinking boat off Martha’s Vineyard by Coast Guard

Coast Guard aircrews rescued four people from a sinking fishing boat Wednesday, about just south of Martha’s Vineyard, the agency said.

“The captain of the vessel Sea Star radioed watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at about 6:20 p.m., reporting their vessel was taking on water, listing heavily and they were donning their immersion suits,” the coast guard said.

Aircrews from an MH60 Jayhawk helicopter and HC-144 Ocean Sentry were on a training flight, when the distress call came in and they were deployed to the area, the Coast Guard said. The water temperature was 37 degrees, with 5-foot seas, and 25 knot winds.

“Once it was determined the vessel could not be saved, the helicopter aircrew ordered the fishermen into the water and deployed a rescue swimmer to airlift the crew safely into the helicopter,” coast guard officials said.

The aircrew flew the survivors back to Air Station Cape Cod where they were evaluated by awaiting Emergency Medical Services and reported to be in good health.

“The most important things the crew did was activate their EPIRB and don their immersion suits,” said Scott Backholm, a command duty officer at Sector Southeastern New England.

“The EPIRB activation allowed us to get their exact location and arrive as quickly as possible, and the suits kept them protected from the cold water.”