The Gloucester Harbormaster and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to reports of a fire on a deep-sea fishing boat earlier this morning. (Photo Courtesy Gloucester Harbormaster)
GLOUCESTER — Harbormaster Thomas Ciarametaro reports that the Gloucester Harbormaster and U.S. Coast Guard responded to reports of a fire earlier this morning after a coolant line broke on a deep-sea fishing boat, causing the motor to produce steam.
The Harbormaster responded at approximately 8:40 a.m. after the captain of the boat reported a fire approximately two and a half nautical miles northeast of Cape Ann. The captain activated the boat’s fire suppression system before first responders arrived on scene.
At the time of the incident, 40 passengers and four crew members were on board the boat. They were all transported to shore on 47-foot motor lifeboats by members from U.S. Coast Guard Station Gloucester.
The U.S. Coast Guard determined that there was no fire following an initial investigation. Instead, a coolant line on the boat broke which sprayed coolant on the motor and caused it to produce steam.
“I would like to commend this captain for his quick thinking,” said Harbormaster Ciarametaro. “Fortunately, there was no fire. However, the captain acted appropriately and worked swiftly to respond to a situation that appeared to be very dangerous.”
