By ML Baron, Special to the Neighb News
Mayday Off Martha’s Vineyard: “…arrived to see Menemsha charter boat Tomahawk, collided at speed with a trawler dragging nets with severe damage to both vessels,” From Good Samaritan vessel first on scene
A Fairhaven based fishing vessel, Gloria Jean, was involved in a collision with the charter vessel Tomahawk, off Martha’s Vineyard, Friday at 12:40 p.m. August 5, 2022. Visibility was clear with a slight haze and seas calm.
This was the second collision involving a local fishing vessel in less than a week, when the Gabby G slammed into the cruise ship Norwegian Pearl off Nantucket last Saturday.
A Fairhaven couple who are avid boaters were the first to respond and arrive on scene to the Mayday call.
According to the Captain’s Log of that vessel (the couple wishes not to be identified): “Accidents can happen to anyone! Coming in from fishing with family today we hear a mayday call of a collision between two boats. both captains reported taking on water.
“We knew we were close. Took down coordinates and we were two miles away. Near 50 knots and arrived to see Menemsha charter boat Tomahawk, collided at speed with a trawler dragging nets with severe damage to both vessels. First on scene, we got six passengers off Tomahawk. Towboat, Coast Guard Menemsha, CG helicopter and Menemsha harbormaster all on scene fast. TowBoat US was busy as Coast Guard stood by if more assistance was needed. Other than some bruises and a cut, everyone was OK.”
A report in the Martha’s Vineyard Times added, “Petty Officer Briana Carter told The Times both vessels were brought back into port with, ‘No flooding on either vessel.’ Carter also said no injuries were reported. ‘Don’t know if any charges will or will not be made,’ she said.”
The MV Times also reported that a “huge gash could be seen” on the bow of the Tomahawk where it was docked at West Basin in Aquinnah later in the day.
The crash occurred near an area known as Dogfish Bar, according to the MV Times.
Buddy Vanderhoop, captain of the Tomahawk, said the bow was up at the time of the accident and he was talking to a client.
See the MV Times article at https://www.mvtimes.com/…/coast-guard-scene-boat-accident/
The next day the Gloria Jean was tied up at Union Wharf with repairs obvious on the bow. The captain of the Gloria Jean is Tim Powers.
Compiled by MLBaron for westislandweather.com
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