Coast Guard rescues 37 people from boat off Central America

August 11, 2019 12:00 am • Last Updated: August 11, 2019 12:17 am

In this Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, photo released by U.S. Coast Guard, a U.S. Coast Guard crew member holds onto a crew member from the Ecuadorian fishing vessel Marujita as they are hoisted onto a cutter approximately 336 miles southeast of Clipperton Island, in the Pacific Ocean. The Coast Guard says it rescued 37 from a fishing boat that capsized and sank in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central America. The agency said 12 Coast Guardsmen were inspecting a 160-foot Ecuadorian fishing boat on Wednesday when it began listing, forcing them and 25 members of the vessel to abandon ship. Crew members of a Coast Guard cutter on patrol in the region quickly came to their rescue. (U.S. Coast Guard via AP)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Coast Guard says it has rescued 37 people from a fishing boat that capsized and sank in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central America.

The agency said 12 Coast Guardsmen were inspecting a 160-foot Ecuadorian fishing boat on Wednesday when it began listing, forcing them and 25 members of the vessel to abandon ship.

Crew members of a Coast Guard cutter on patrol in the region quickly rescued 16 people while 20 others climbed up nets hung from the side of the cutter.

One man clung to the side of the sinking boat until he was rescued by a Coast Guard swimmer.

Capt. Arthur Snyder of the 11th Coast Guard District in Alameda, Calif., praised the cutter crew's speedy action during the dangerous situation.

In this Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, photo released by U.S. Coast Guard, fishing nets, life rafts, and debris from the 160-foot Ecuadorian fishing vessel Marujita float behind the capsizing vessel approximately 336 miles southeast of Clipperton Island in the Pacific Ocean. The Coast Guard says it rescued 37 from the fishing boat that capsized and sank in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central America. The agency said 12 Coast Guardsmen were inspecting a 160-foot Ecuadorian fishing boat on Wednesday when it began listing, forcing them and 25 members of the vessel to abandon ship. Crew members of a Coast Guard cutter on patrol in the region quickly came to their rescue. (U.S. Coast Guard via AP)

Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.

STORIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU