Maine Fishermen Rescued By College Of The Atlantic Students

Two people whose fishing boat caught fire were rescued from the ocean off Southwest Harbor by members of the College of the Atlantic.

Maine Coast Guard Station Received a Mayday Call on Thursday of a Fire on a Boat

The names of the people who were on the boat have not been released. They made a Mayday call to the United States Coast Guard Station Southwest Harbor on Channel 16 at approximately 9:15 a.m. on Thursday.

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The call said there was a fire on a fishing vessel in the vicinity of Mount Desert Rock, which is 18 miles offshore.

Two people were reported to be on board the vessel.

Maine Coast Guard Crew Responded, But a College Research Team Was Closer

U.S. Coast Guard Southwest Harbor reports that their Search and Rescue crew swiftly responded with the Motor Lifeboat 47311.

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While the Coast Guard was making its way to the scene, the two fishermen had abandoned their boat and were recovered by members of the College of the Atlantic. The rescuers were conducting research on Mount Desert Rock when the people left their vessel.

When the Coast Guard SAR crew arrived at the scene, the two individuals were transferred to the lifeboat and returned safely to their families at Station Southwest Harbor, where they received medical evaluations.

Maine Coast Guard and COA Officials Offered Congratulations to Rescuers

In a post on the U.S. Coast Guard Southwest Harbor Facebook page, officials congratulated everyone involved in the rescue:

Outstanding work to all involved, and a special thank you to the members of the college out on the Rock.

A post on the Facebook page for the College of the Atlantic echoed that sentiment:

Great work by all involved!

The College of the Atlantic has the COA Edward McC. Blair Marine Research Station on the remote Mount Desert Rock.