Damaged Freighter RSCL Express Given Aid
Boston
Local U.S. Coast Guard Forces Sector Boston sprang to work yesterday, giving assistance and inspection aid to a vessel requesting help. The Motor Vessel RSCL Express, based out of the Pacific Marshal Islands, called in via radio at about five pm Eastern Standard Time, and requested entrance to Boston Harbor to re provision and make repairs.
The Master of the Express made the call and reported that his ship had undergone damage in the form of two holes in the hull. The Express, a 350-foot vessel reported two holes measuring about fifteen centimeters in diameter shortly before five pm. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dependable responded off of local patrol.
The Dependable, a 210-foot medium duty cutter based out of Cape May, N.J. was assigned the mission while on her normal routine patrol off the Eastern U.S. Coast. The Dependable responded to the location, about 150 miles southwest of Cape Cod.
Upon arrival on scene, the Dependable was able to put members of her crew onboard the Express to inspect and assess damage. The RSCL Express was loaded down with Forty Three Hundred Tons of Wood pulp, and had experienced damage from the anchor striking the hull during severe weather. The Express also reported damages to the Anchor, Anchor Windlass, and backup fire equipment.
The crew of the Dependable also noted some flooding, but it seemed minor in nature and generally under control. After boarding and inspection the crew of the Dependable deemed that it was safe for the freighter to proceed, and no further assistance was requested or required.
The crew of the Dependable is escorting the motor vessel Express to Boston Harbor. U.S. Coast Guard rescue and patrol forces routinely work closely in junction with local law enforcement.
