PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Three shrimpers were rescued by the Coast Guard Wednesday evening after their boat was struck by a possible waterspout.
The shrimpers abandoned ship about 20 miles offshore from Sabine Pass according to a release from the U.S. Coast Guard.
The shrimpers activated their emergency position indicating radio beacon and before leaving the 74-foot boat and getting into a life raft the release said.
Am MH65 Dolphin helicopter was launched from the Coast Guard's Air Station Houston to rescue the men the release said.
The three shrimpers were in good condition and the boat was still afloat with no signs of pollution the release said.
Coast Guard rescues shrimpers off Sabine Pass
When the men were resuced there were 46 MPH winds and 10 to 15 foot seas in the area according to the release.
From a U.S. Coast Guard news release...
The Coast Guard rescued three fishermen after they abandoned ship from a shrimp boat approximately 20 miles offshore from Sabine Pass, Texas, Wednesday evening.
Sector Houston-Galveston watch standers received a report from the owner of a 74-foot commercial shrimping vessel that three fishermen were in need of assistance after their vessel was struck by a possible tornado. The fishermen activated their emergency position indicating radio beacon and abandoned ship to a life raft.
An Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was launched to assist. Once on scene, the aircrew hoisted the three fishermen from the life raft and transported them to the air station at Ellington Field in Houston.
The vessel was last reported afloat with no signs of pollution. All three fishermen were reported in good condition.
Weather on scene was 10 to 15-foot seas with 46 mph winds.
