This has, in many ways, been a tragic year for Gloucester fishermen — from the January sinking of the F/V Patriot and the loss of its crew, to the loss of lobsterman Jaime Ortiz in October.
It's also been a difficult year for the U.S Coast Guard, which justifiably drew fire for its delayed response to the Patriot's demise. And it was a bit unsettling to learn that a Coast Guard plane that briefly played a role in last week's towing rescue of a stranded Gloucester-based lobster boat was on the scene because it was carrying out enforcement of federal fisheries regulations.
But the Coast Guard's efforts in leading the 77-foot Michael & Kristen to safety after it lost engine power more than 200 miles out sea last week was indeed nothing short of heroic.
Between 15-foot seas, 40 mph winds, the breaking of the first tow line and the approach of this past weekend's storm, the four-day story of this lobster boat and her crew could have easily had a tragic ending as well. It was only thanks to the Coast Guard and the crew of its 270-foot cutter Escanaba that it didn't, and all ended safely.
We extend our sincere gratitude for a truly incredible job well done.
