Four rescued from burning fishing boat near Fort Morgan, Alabama

Photo: US Coast Guard/Petty Officer 3rd Class Blake Berryman

The US Coast Guard rescued four people from a fishing vessel on fire near Fort Morgan, Alabama, on Monday, December 14.

The four people were safely recovered and transported to shore in stable condition.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report around 18:45 local time from the commercial fishing vessel Alexandria Pearl that it was on fire and in need of assistance about 800 metres off Fort Morgan.

Two coast guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrews were conducting training flights nearby and diverted to respond the the distress. One of the helicopters lowered a rescue swimmer and life raft, and all four people aboard the vessel abandoned ship into the raft.

A Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island rescue boat-medium boatcrew arrived and rescued the four people from the raft. They were taken to shore to be evaluated by awaiting EMS.

The Gulf Shores Fire Department, the Baldwin County Fire Department, and Mobile Bar Pilots also assisted in the rescue operation.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.


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