PORT TOWNSEND — Two people and one dog were rescued from a sinking vessel early Sunday morning, East Jefferson Fire Rescue said.
The U.S. Coast Guard called 911 about 3:15 a.m. Sunday to report the sinking vessel, said Chief Bret Black of East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR).
When first responders arrived from EJFR’s Marine 1, they found a cabin cruiser partially sunk off the Port Townsend shoreline, Black said.
One person sustained an ankle injury and was transported to Jefferson Healthcare, he added.
Once the rescue was complete, Port of Port Townsend staff collaborated with EJFR personnel to deploy absorbent booms to contain any potential spilled substances, Black said. Crews worked for more than three hours to encircle the sunken vessel, he added.
Later Sunday morning, Marine 1 was again deployed to help secure the boat at low tide, Black said. The state Department of Ecology and Coast Guard were notified, he added.
In an unrelated incident, EJFR responded to a 911 call about 8:30 p.m. Sunday for a water rescue along the Port Townsend shoreline.
When Marine 1 arrived, firefighters found a 35-foot sailboat adrift, Black said. The sailboat had lost power and was being pushed into the shore toward the rocks by strong winds.
Three people were on board in distress, Black said. The captain had deployed three anchors without success, and the vessel’s keel was dragging in the sand very close to the rocks, he added.
Marine 1 deployed a tow line and secured the boat. Over the next 90 minutes, Marine 1 towed the boat into the marina and helped tie up the sailboat at the fuel dock.
No injuries or significant damage was reported, Black said.
EJFR has two fire rescue boats, Marine 1 and Marine 7, plus a cadre of well-qualified operators who staff the vessels as needed from adjacent fire stations, Black said.
