Coast Guard Boat Flips During Rescue; Crew Swims to Safety

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

NEW YORK— A 25-foot Coast Guard vessel flipped over early Thursday while assisting a 76-foot fishing boat that ran aground off New York City, resulting in dramatic rescue efforts but no serious injuries, authorities said.

Five Coast Guard crew members, wearing protective gear, swam ashore at the Rockway Peninsula in Queens after their boat capsized in 10 to 12 foot waves following an overnight storm, according to spokeswoman Ali Flockerzi.

Fishing boat, the Carolina Queen III, rests in shallow water just off Rockaway Beach, on Feb. 25, 2016, in the Queens borough of New York. Authorities say a Coast Guard vessel overturned while assisting the fishing boat that ran aground in an inlet off New York City. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

An orange Coast Guard helicopter dispatched from Atlantic City, New Jersey, lowered ropes to pluck seven fishermen off the trawler, which rocked violently in crashing waves near the shore. They were taken to a hospital for observation.

The events unfolded after the Coast Guard got a distress call at 2 a.m. from the Carolina Queen III. The fishing boat initially was taking on water. Its crew got that under control, but then ran aground.

The capsized Coast Guard boat eventually drifted to shore and was secured.

“All mariners were secure” by 7 a.m., Flockerzi said.