FALMOUTH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Three fisherman are safe and sound after being rescued by Coast Guard crews off of Woods Hole on Friday.
According to Petty Officer First Class Amanda Wyrick, the distress call came in just before 5 p.m., as the boat DETERMINATION starting taking on water from an onboard leak.
"Our [command center] got a mayday over channel 16 -- which is international hail in distress," Wyrick said. "When the [two 45-foot] response boats got on scene, these three fisherman were able to transfer onto their boat, and everybody safely made it back to shore."
Wyrick said a local salvage company is now working to recover the 67-foot fishing vessel. She added that it's especially important to be prepared on the seas -- even when the weather appears nice and winds are not strong.
"This rescue was successful because these fisherman did what they were supposed to, and they had the right equipment on board," she said. "Water temperatures are still dangerously cold, temperatures don't warm up until we get closer towards summer."
Wyrick said officials have seen a "very concerning uptick" in cold water related deaths when responding to distress calls.
"Dress for the water, and have safety equipment, and EPIRBs and whistles and radios and working flares for any unforeseen circumstances," she said.
WBZ's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports.
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Written by Rachel Armany
(Photo: Getty Images)