Fishing Vessel Miss Sandy Sinks Off Gloucester

On January 17, the fishing vessel Miss Sandy sank in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 7 nautical miles off Gloucester Harbor, Massachusetts. The vessel experienced significant water ingress in its engine room, leading to a distress call for assistance. Despite the efforts of the United States Coast Guard, the Miss Sandy could not be saved.

Coast Guard Response and Rescue Efforts

The *Miss Sandy* reported flooding with over 4 feet of water in the engine room. In response, the United States Coast Guard dispatched the cutter *William Chadwick* (WPC-1150), which arrived on the scene within 30 minutes. The crew of the *Miss Sandy* was safely evacuated to the cutter. Coast Guard personnel deployed dewatering pumps on the fishing vessel in an attempt to manage the flooding.

As the *William Chadwick* began towing the *Miss Sandy* back to port, the situation worsened. The flooding increased, overwhelming the dewatering pumps. Just before the *Miss Sandy* sank, the cutter had to drop the towline. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries among the crew during this incident. The quick response from the Coast Guard highlights the importance of maritime safety and the challenges faced during rescue operations at sea.