Harbor Cruise Boat Rescued near Boston

The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies responded to a 37-foot Cape Ann Harbor Cruise vessel taking on water in Brace Cove, outside of Gloucester Harbor, near Boston, Massachusetts, on Saturday.

Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Boston command center received a mayday call from the captain of the 37-foot Cape Ann Harbor Tour boat, King Eider. The captain reported King Eider was taking on water at the rate of 5 gallons per minute with 34 people on board.  

The vessel was in Brace Cove, outside of Gloucester Harbor and boats in the vicinity aided in the rescue. Pumps were engaged on board King Eider and were able to keep pace with the water flooding the vessel.  As a preventative measure the Coast Guard crew also placed a high capacity pump aboard.  

The passengers remained on board King Eider, and the fishing vessel Lisa & Jake towed the Cape Ann Harbor Cruise vessel into Gloucester Harbor escorted by the Station Gloucester 47-foot motor life boat crew and other vessels.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the flooding is undetermined at this time.  

"The immediate response of Lisa & Jake to the urgent marine broadcast message was key to the success of this rescue and is a testament to the respect and responsibility among mariners in this area," said Petty Officer 1st Class Devan Smith, the coxswain of the responding 47-foot motor life boat crew. 

Smith also credited the teamwork and seamless communication between local agencies and the King Eider for the successful rescue response that assured the passengers of the harbor tour boat made it safely ashore.