COAST GUARD ESCORTS 4 TO SAFETY AFTER HEAVY WINDS, SEAS DAMAGE FISHING BOAT OFF PORTLAND, MAINE

Boothbay Harbor, Maine - The Coast Guard assisted four people to safety Wednesday after heavy winds and seas damaged a fishing boat about 40 miles southeast of Portland, Maine.

A fisherman aboard the Gracelyn Jane sent a distress hail to Coast Guard Sector Northern New England watchstanders Tuesday evening and reported their fishing boat was disabled with four people aboard. The man reported the crew lost their GPS, the boat was losing power, and their windows had shattered.

On scene weather at the time was 30 knot winds and 10-14 foot seas.

The 270-foot Coast Guard Cutter Northland, homported in Portsmouth, Virginia, was approximately ten miles from Gracelyn Jane’s location and quickly diverted from their patrol to help. A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod also deployed to provide assistance.

After arriving on scene, Northland’s crew found the Gracelyn Jane regained power and made way toward shore escorted by the Coast Guard.

Once closer to shore, a response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Boothbay Harbor relieved Northland’s crew from their escort and accompanied Gracelyn Jane into Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

"The Gulf of Maine is especially unforgiving this time of year,” said Lt. Scott McCann, the command center chief at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. “The Gracelyn Jane was fortunate we had a Coast Guard cutter nearby and that their damage wasn't worse. This is a good reminder to all mariners, including professionals, to exercise prudence and preparation every single time they head out."

There were no reported injuries. The Gracelyn Jane hails out of Portland.

Photos courtesy of U.S Coast Guard District One