US Coast Guard Rescues 27 People from Disabled Vessel in Portsmouth

The US Coast Guard rescued 27 passengers and crew aboard a disabled vessel Friday in the Piscataqua River, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received a report at 3:05 p.m. Friday that the vessel Celia Thaxter had become disabled and was being pushed against the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge by the current.

Multiple Coast Guard and New Hampshire Marine Patrol responders rushed to the scene.

A Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor 25-foot response boat crew and a New Hampshire Marine Patrol boat crew arrived on scene at 3:10 p.m. and safely evacuated all 24 passengers and two crewmembers to a nearby pier where EMS awaited.

The vessel’s master remained aboard while a Station Portsmouth Harbor 47-foot motor life boat crew towed the Celia Thaxter to its homeport dock in Portsmouth.

“Serving our community is an honor – and this is exactly what we train for,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jared Lovern, from Station Portsmouth Harbor. “We responded swiftly to safely evacuate the passengers and tow the vessel back home.”

There were no injuries reported.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.