Tugboat Crew Rescued From Frigid Boston Harbor Waters
BOSTON (CBS) -- Three men were rescued from a tugboat that sank in Boston Harbor Tuesday morning.
The Coast Guard and Boston Harbor Pilot Association responded to a call of a tugboat taking on water around 6 a.m. It was the 55-foot tugboat Emily Anne, sinking about 5 miles east of Deer Island after suffering a breech in its hull.
A 47-foot motor life boat and helicopter were launched by the Coast Guard to help.
The pilot boat Chelsea, belonging to the Boston Harbor Pilot Association, heard the Emily Anne's distress call and arrived on scene to rescue the three crew members--just moments before the Emily Anne sank to the bottom of the harbor.
Despite being in 37-degree water and being exposed to the cold, the Coast Guard said the three crew members were in good health.
"Given the nature of the emergency, if not for the quick and heroic response of the Chelsea crew, their lives may have been lost," said Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Darin Crozier in a statement.
In an emotional moment Tuesday morning, tugboat captain Doug Richmond thanked Boston Harbor Pilots captain Joe Maloney for rescuing him and his two crew members.
"He's the man," said Richmond. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Joe."
"Doug's a great guy," said Maloney. "And I know he'd do it for me."
Maloney said his boat just happened to be in the right place at the right time, and he's happy he could help.
The three men were taken to the East Boston side of the harbor, where Boston EMS said all three refused medical transport.
Boston Fire Department marine units also responded. Coast Guard pollution investigators are monitoring the location where the Emily Anne sank.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports
