Dragger sinks off Shinnecock Inlet

[likwid]

Four fisherman were rescued in the ocean waters off of Montauk on Tuesday evening just as their stern trawler rolled over and became completely submerged in water.

John Olsen, the search and rescue operator with the United States Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, said the crew were each hoisted out of the water and onto a Coast Guard helicopter at about 5:15 p.m., following futile attempts to de-water the Johanna Lenore.

"As soon as the last man was hosted into the basket, the rescue swimmer, she rolled over into the water," Olsen said of the 76-foot fishing vessel out of Point Judith, Rhode Island.

The vessel was located in the Atlantic Ocean about 35 nautical miles south-southeast of Shinnecock Inlet, Olsen said.

The Coast Guard received a call from the crew that the trawler was taking on water at about 2:30 p.m. Olsen said the lazarette, a compartment in the stern of the boat, was filling with water. He said it is unclear what caused the boat to take on water. It had not lost power, he said.

The helicopter responded and lowered down dewatering pumps for the crew to use. With the seas at 10 to 12 feet and the winds at 30 to 35 nautical miles, "It was fruitless," Olsen said. "Every little bit they gained, they lost."

The decision was then made to abandon the vessel. The crew, wearing dry suits, entered the water, and with the help of a rescue swimmer, they were hoisted up into the helicopter in a rescue basket, Olsen said.

The fishermen, whose health Olsen said appeared to be fine, were being flown to Point Judith. They will be checked out by EMS as a precaution.

He is expecting a call from the master to brief the Coast Guard on how much oil and diesel was on the boat. Olsen said there is potential for pollution.