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By daybreak
Published: February 23, 2008
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On February 23, 2008, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Grand Isle reached a disabled fishing vessel 35 miles east of Cape Ann, Mass., and is towing it to safety.

The 75-foot Aaron & Melissa II's three-person crew reported to Coast Guard Sector Boston that they had experienced engine failure at 11:48 p.m., Friday.

The Coast Guard issued a radio-based marine assistance broadcast, requesting nearby mariners to assist the Westbrook, Maine-based vessel, but there were no boats in the area large enough to tow the fishing vessel.

The Grand Isle, a 110-foot patrol boat from Gloucester, Mass., got underway at 5 a.m., and arrived on scene with the Aaron & Melissa II at 7:37 a.m. Both vessels are expected to arrive in Gloucester Harbor today at about 2 p.m.

The on-scene seas are eight feet and the winds are 18 knots.

"We kept in contact throughout the night with the fishing vessel's crew to make sure they were safe while they waited for the cutter to arrive," said Petty Officer Paul Brancaleone, from the Sector Boston Operations Center . "There are no reports of any injuries and we are glad we could help out these fishermen and get them to safety."

source:  United States Coast Guard press release

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