Smoke rises from the cabin of the fishing boat Hit List Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Newberryport, Massachusetts. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Coast Guard, local partners respond to pollution incident in the Merrimack River
August 25th, 2018
BOSTON, Mass. — The Coast Guard and local partners responded to a fuel oil spill in the Merrimack River Friday after a fishing boat caught fire and sank.
The fishing vessel Hit List was later salvaged and removed from the river. The Hit List is no longer a hazard to navigation.
The Hit List was reported to have approximately 500 gallons of fuel oil on board, with a maximum fuel tank capacity of about 700 gallons.
Members from Coast Guard Sector Boston’s pollution response team arrived on scene Friday evening and worked through the night. An oil sheen was observed on the Merrimack River, and the Coast Guard is overseeing efforts to contain and clean up the spill.
No injuries were reported to the Coast Guard, and the cause of the fire and sinking is under investigation.
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Fishing boat bursts into flames on the Merrimack River
Credit: Newburyport Fire
NEWBURYPORT, MASS. (WHDH) -
A 42-foot fishing boat that was waiting to offload an Atlantic bluefin tuna burst into flames on the Merrimack River Friday evening, sending the captain and his mate scrambling to safety, officials said.
Newburyport fire crews responding to a reported boat fire about 6 p.m. found the “Hit List” fishing vessel in flames, Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire said in a statement.
The vessel was deemed a total loss and was floundering as the tide went out Friday evening.
There were no reported injuries.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Newburyport Fire Department and the Newburyport Harbormaster.