VIDEO | Fishing Crew Rescued On 1st Day Of White Marlin Open

Update: The Coast Guard Tuesday released an account of Monday’s rescue at sea:

The Coast Guard coordinated the rescue of six people on Monday, 60 miles east of Chincoteague, Virginia, with the help of a good Samaritan. 

No injuries were reported, but the 34-foot pleasure craft was determined to be unrecoverable.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Virginia received the initial distress call through VHF Channel 16 from the captain of the Knot Stressin’. The captain stated that the vessel’s engine room was flooded and all aboard were abandoning ship into a life raft. 

The Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, an 87-foot patrol boat, was diverted to assist alongside a boatcrew aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat launched from Coast Guard Station Chincoteague. 

An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast issued by sector watchstanders was answered by the captain of the Fishbone, a 65-foot fishing vessel in the area. The Fishbone arrived on scene and retrieved all six survivors.

In addition to having a working VHF radio and life raft on board, all survivors had properly fitting life jackets and personal locator beacons, which allowed watchstanders to know their exact location.

“There are so many factors that made this case a success,” said Lt. Cmdr. Sarah Pulliam, Sector Virginia Command Center Chief. “We have a command center staffed by true professionals, who were able to quickly coordinate the rescue of these individuals, and there are amazing people out on the water who do not hesitate when they hear lives are in danger. These mariners were also well-prepared in terms of having the right safety equipment onboard and knowing how to use it.”

(Original story:)

Opening day of the White Marlin Open contained a little too much excitement for members of one crew.

Their boat sank dozens of miles offshore, but people on another boat heard what was happening, obtained the coordinates, raced to the scene and rescued several people from Knot Stressin’ – who joined the crew of the Fishbone for the rest of the day.

White Marlin Open says The Fishbone is eligible for an extra day of fishing during the tournament due to their heroic actions.

YouTube Video was shared by Fishbone Sport Fishing