USCG escorts disabled RI fishing vessel ahead of winter storm

With a major winter storm approaching, Coast Guard crews from Station Menemsha, Massachusetts and Station Castle Hill, Rhode Island, aided a distressed fishing crew about 10 miles east of Block Island, Rhode Island Saturday, the USCG said in a press release.

At approximately 8:30 a.m. Saturday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, received a call via VHF channel 16 from the captain of the 50-foot Tamara stating his vessel's navigation equipment had failed and he was having trouble steering.

A 45-foot Response Boat Medium from Station Castle Hill was launched along with a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Menemsha.  While the three-man fishing crew was not in any immediate danger, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod was launched as a precaution.  

The Station Castle Hill crew arrived on scene at about 9:45 a.m. and began escorting the Tamara toward the Newport State Pier. They are scheduled to arrive at the pier at approximately 3 p.m. today.

Winds in the area are 30 to 40 knots with gusts up to 55 knots. Seas are 12 to 17 feet and building.