Portland Fireboat Responds to Reported Boat Collision in Casco Bay

The department finds 8 people aboard 2 boats, transports 3 to the hospital

Portland, Maine - At approximately 10:14 PM on Saturday September 7th the Portland Fire Department responded to a report of a 2 boat collision in Portland Harbor near Fort Gorges.

Crews from Marine 1 and Marine 2, The Portland Fire Departments 2 fireboats, along with seven land based fire and ambulance crews responded to the area near fort Gorges and found a total of 9 passengers, 2 aboard a pleasure craft and 7 on a water taxi.  Three individuals were transported to the hospital for evaluation.  None of injuries are considered life threatening.  Both boats were able to navigate back to land under their own power.  The Maine Marine Patrol and the US Coast Guard were at the scene and are investigating the incident.

“Our crews responded quickly and operated efficiently on the scene to ensure everyone was evacuated safely and the injured treated and transported to the hospital.” states Fire Chief Jerome LaMoria.  “Incidents like we’ve seen over the last week demonstrate the importance of having a fully staffed and well trained firefighting and rescue capability in Portland Harbor”.   The Portland Fire Department responded to a mayday call last week in which 2 people and a dog were forced to jump into the water to escape a fire that had started aboard their boat after refueling in South Portland.  There were no injuries in that incident.

The Portland Fire Department will participate in a press conference at 12:00 PM Sunday September 8th 2013 at the Coast Guard Base South Portland, Maine.