Coast Guard rescues 3 fishermen as their vessel sinks 1 mile off Grays Harbor

GRAYS HARBOR, Wash. — A Coast Guard boat crew rescued three fishermen after their vessel took on water and sank less than one mile outside of Grays Harbor Friday.

The Coast Guard said a crew from Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor transported the fishermen to shore, where emergency medical services personnel evaluated one of them for a reported heart condition.

The crew of the 74-foot fishing vessel Privateer called Station Grays Harbor watchstanders via VHF radio channel 16 at 2:26 p.m., stating they were taking on water through an 8-to-12-inch hole, deploying their life raft and donning immersion suits preparing to abandon ship, the Coast Guard said.

After arriving on scene, the crew made the advisement to abandon ship and pulled all three fishermen off the sinking vessel.

“It was clear the fishing crew had conducted drills and were prepared for an emergency,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Hylkema. “They had marine VHF radios, a life raft and immersion suits. It was a terrifying situation, but their actions proved they were ready.”

The cause of the sinking is currently unknown, the Coast Guard said.