ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Coast Guard, Monterey Fire and North County Fire Protection District rescued five from a boat fire and prevented significant pollution in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge area, Monday near Moss Landing.
All five persons were evacuated from the boat by a Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (MLB) from Station Monterey while Monterey Fire Boat 12 provided firefighting water.
The Coast Guard received a report of a boat on fire two miles offshore of the Salinas River entrance at 3:30 p.m. The crew aboard the 47-foot MLB lead by Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Pena, the coxswain, arrived on scene with Monterey Fire Boat 12 at about 4:08 p.m. The Coast Guard crew was able to place the 48-foot vessel II Knotty in tow to prevent it from being driven ashore and breaking up in the surf, potentially averting a discharge of 600 gallons of diesel fuel from entering the environment. During the 90-minute tow back to Monterey, the crew of Monterey Fire Boat 12 provided continuous firefighting water to keep the fire at bay.
The fire was eventually extinguished in calmer waters near the Monterey break wall and Monterey Harbor Patrol vessel 373 took control of the burnt vessel and coordinated an emergency haul out at about 10:30 p.m.
“This was an excellent multi-agency response that highlights the collaboration of maritime first responders in the Monterey Bay region,” said Lt. Matthew Peryea, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Monterey. “This response also highlights the caliber of young Coast Guard women and men joining our service. The crew led by Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Pena, the senior most ranking person on the crew, received his coxswain certification less than two months ago. This case really showcased his leadership, judgement, and skills, and the high standards of training we hold our crews to.”