Authorities rescued 31 fishermen Tuesday night from a sinking vessel 130 miles off the Canadian coastline, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia, notified authorities at approximately 7:05 p.m. Tuesday night at the Coast Guard First District Command Center that the Atlantic Disney, a 143-foot vessel, was engulfed in flames and sinking, according to a press release.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Air Force quickly responded, according to the press release. Upon locating the ship, a Royal Canadian Air Force helicopter crew from Nova Scotia sent two search-and-rescue technicians onto the ship to help de-water the vessel while also hoisting up six crew members, according to the press release.
This ship was sinking in the Atlantic Ocean last night.
Search and Rescue Technicians jumped down to the vessel to help hoist crew members to waiting Canadian and American aircraft.
All 31 crew members are safe today. pic.twitter.com/nrwDzFl5jV
— Canadian Forces in ???????? (@CAFinUS) March 3, 2021
The U.S. Coast Guard Jayhawk then rescued 21 fisherman using two helicopters. (RELATED: Trump Boat Parade Ends With Multiple Distress Calls, Sunken Vessels)
“This is the most challenging conditions for hoisting I’ve seen in my entire career,” U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Travis Christy, who was part of the rescue efforts, said Wednesday, according to CNN.
The remaining four crew members and the two technicians finished de-watering efforts and were taken to the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Cape Roger around 7:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to the press release.
The Atlantic Disney sank at 9:36 a.m., according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
“This is a SAR (search-and-rescue) case that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life, I’m probably not going to see something like this again,” U.S. Coast Guard avionics electrical technician and member of the rescue team Philip Morales said, according to CNN.
“While we are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our offshore fishing vessels we are extremely relieved and thankful that all of our 31 crew members were safely transported ashore and are currently in the process of reuniting with their families and loved ones,” Ocean Choice CEO Martin Sullivan said in a statement.
The Atlantic Disney is one of six offshore fishing vessels belonging to Ocean Choice.