Coast Guard monitors transit of damaged fishing vessel

ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast guard monitors the transit of a fishing vessel with a broken mast approximatley 50 miles west of the Columbia River entrance Monday. Sector Columbia River, Ore., received a mayday call and an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon notification from the 44-foot fishing vessel St. Kristine at approximately 1:30 p.m.

ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard is monitoring the transit of a fishing vessel with a broken mast approximately 50 miles west of the Columbia River entrance Monday.

Sector Columbia River, Ore., received a mayday call and an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon notification from the 44-foot fishing vessel St. Kristine at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Air Station Astoria, Ore., launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew. The Jayhawk crew arrived on scene to find the mast of the vessel had snapped and posed safety concerns for the two people on board.

The Jayhawk crew remained on scene with the damaged vessel for more than two hours, keeping in close communication with the vessel’s captain.

The captain made a determination, based on wave and wind current, that by keeping a direct course to Cape Flattery, Wash., he could avoid further damage to the mast and the vessel.

A C-130 Hercules airplane crew from Air Station Sacramento, Calif., is en route to monitor the progress of the St. Kristine.

The St. Kristine is expected to arrive in Cape Flattery at approximately 8 p.m., Tuesday, based on current weather predictions.

No injuries have been reported.

For more information, contact the 13th Coast Guard District duty public affairs officer at (206) 819-9152.

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