Three Fishermen Rescued After Vessel Sinks Off Maine Coast

A prompt U.S. Coast Guard response saved three fishermen’s lives off the coast of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, on Wednesday March 11^th, 2026, after the 40-foot F/V VESTA RENEE sank approximately 23 miles offshore.

The distress call came in at 7:03 a.m., when the crew radioed U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England on VHF Channel 16. The vessel was taking on water fast, and the mariners made the decision to abandon ship.

Within ten minutes of receiving the mayday, the U.S. Coast Guard had launched a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Boothbay Harbor, an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft, and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod. Rescuers also asked the fishermen to activate their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), a critical step that helped pinpoint the crew’s location in open water.

By 9:01 a.m., the Station Boothbay Harbor crew had located the sinking vessel. All three men were pulled from the water within one minute of the rescue crew arriving on scene. It was reported that one fisherman was suffering from hypothermia.

“Our crews are constantly training for situations like this so they can respond as quickly as possible when lives are at risk,” said Lt. Jeanpierre Freeman. He credited everyone’s fast action for getting all three fishermen out of the water.

The crew of the F/V VESTA RENEE is reported to have had no life raft and no personal flotation devices aboard when their vessel went down. In cold Maine waters, the window for survival without flotation gear is dangerously short. Hypothermia can incapacitate a person in as little as 30 minutes.

Commercial fishermen face some of the most hazardous working conditions of any profession. Long hours, unpredictable weather, and the unforgiving nature of open water create risks that most workers never encounter. When something goes wrong, the consequences can be devastating.

Federal maritime law exists precisely because of these dangers. The Jones Act gives injured seamen the right to seek compensation when employer negligence contributes to an accident. Maintenance and cure benefits ensure medical care and daily support during recovery. If you or a loved one has been injured while working on the water, an experienced maritime attorney can explain and help you protect your rights.