Coast Guard assists four mariners aboard disabled fishing vessel 90 miles off Georgetown, South Carolina

FORT MACON, N.C. — The Coast Guard assisted four mariners aboard their disabled vessel approximately 90 miles Southeast of Georgetown, South Carolina, Friday morning.

Sector North Carolina watchstanders received a report from District Seven watchstanders that the good Samaritan vessel Costco Hope had located the 67-foot fishing vessel Morgan Lea that had become disabled due to engine failure and was in need of assistance.

An Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130J Hercules aircrew was launched to provide visual confirmation of the disabled vessel, and the Coast Guard Cutter Heron was launched to tow the vessel into port.

Over a two day-period, the crew of the Heron towed the disabled vessel seven miles south of Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, where a Station Fort Macon 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew took over the towing operation and assisted the vessel into Morehead City State Port Berthing.
Involved in the search and efforts to assist the Morgan Lea were:

Coast Guard Cutter Heron crew

Coast Guard Cutter Marlin crew

Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130J Hercules aircrew

Station Georgetown 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boat crew

Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew

Station Fort Macon 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew

Good Samaritan vessel Costco Hope

There were no reported injuries to the mariners.

“It’s always extremely important to check the condition of equipment and engines before departing port,” said Petty Officer First Class Jared Stanton, operations unit controller at Sector North Carolina. “Through the cooperation of many different assets and a good Samaritan, we were able to bring the disabled vessel safely back into port.”

-USCG-

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
After Hours: (757) 434-7712
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