BOSTON — Coast Guard crews are continuing to monitor the tanker Chem Venus Thursday afternoon after it struck bottom near Goat Island Ledge and allided with three unmanned sailboats on the Piscataqua River near the Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine border.
The Chem Venus began taking on water due to damage sustained during the grounding, which was stabilized and monitored by the ship’s crew and Coast Guard responders.
Salvage divers arrived to assess the extent of the damage Thursday afternoon, and found a tear measuring 3 feet by 10 feet.
The owner of the Chem Venus is expected to develop a salvage plan which will be reviewed and approved by the Coast Guard.
The Chem Venus is currently safely anchored outside the Piscataqua River.
“We are fortunate that no one was injured and the event did not cause any pollution,” said Capt. Michael Baroody, Captain of the Port, Sector Northern New England. “We are working with our port partners to determine all of the factors that contributed to the grounding, and subsequent allision with the sailing vessels.”
The cause of the grounding and allision is under investigation.
BOSTON — A Coast Guard aircrew rescued two kayakers Thursday after their kayaks capsized near White Island southeast of Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
At around 2:30 p.m. Coast Guard watchstanders received a call from one of the kayakers reporting that she and a fellow kayaker had capsized but were able to make it to a nearby Island.
A Coast Guard 29-foot rescue boat crew from Station Boothbay Harbor was already underway in the area conducting training and diverted to assist. However, due to the terrain and shallow water around the island the boat crew was unable to pick up the kayakers.
“There are a lot of submerged, jagged rocks in the area and a strong surge,” said Chief Petty Officer William Armstrong, the officer in charge of Station Boothbay Harbor.
With evacuation via water ruled out, a helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod was activated.
At around 3:30 p.m. an MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew was launched to assist.
They arrived on scene at around 5:22 p.m. and completed the hoist of the two kayakers at 5:29 p.m.
After safely bringing both individuals aboard, the aircrew flew them to Brunswick Airport.
Both kayakers were medically evaluated by the aircrew and had no injuries.
