Coast Guard attempts to free grounded trawler off N.C. after rescuing crew and dog

[rareislandshell]

I'd be willing to wager that most of the fishermen would risk their own lives (like Tommy & Stevie did) to rescue the CG without any hesitation! Shame on the CG employees who failed to uphold the pledges that they swore to. In my simple mind, they need to be sent back to redo their basic training where they could relearn what their jobs actually are. What a disappointment the CG has become!

[jazz1002]

OneRuhle seems to have complaints but does not define the "any and all acts" that were not performed by the Coast Guard but required by law. With OneRuhle's multiple postings, is he an interested party in this incident.

[OneRuhle]

@jazz1002 to answer your question, I am related to one of the two fisherman left to fend for themselves as the fishing vessel Handful sank. Any and all acts necessary means the USCG had a DUTY TO ACT. They did absolutely nothing to help the fisherman on the Handful. Their actions were to watch from a safe distance and do nothing. Isnt that an example of dereliction of duty? What if the two men had been lost right before of their eyes?

[jazz1002]

@OneRuhle Thanks for your info. I have not found video clips of the Handful. Those that showed the CG attempt to pull the grounded trawler off the sand bar show a rather large USCG boat. Was it a shallow-draft that allowed it to get to the Handful? Why was the CG doing a salvage operation? Where was Sea-Tow? I guess I have not seen enough info to understand all the criticism.

[OneRuhle]

It is the USGCs job specified by LAW to help those who are in peril (persons & vessels). 2 men hanging on the side of a sinking vessel for nearly 30 minutes in January is clearly the definition of peril. The USCG should have performed any and all acts necessary to rescue and aid persons and protect and save property. Google USCG search & rescue, read their job description provided to the US House of Representatives in a hearing 9 29 09.

[davided1]

@OneRuhle

The USCG has NO OBLIGATION, nor do they have a responsibility to save property!!

I imagine the only reason they are attempting to move this FV is due to the danger to the bridge, and I'm sure the commercial towing companies were not able to get there quickly enough, and with large enough vessels to do any good.

Maybe the captain should have exercised more care in transiting that inlet so he/she wouldn't have PLACED the two persone in peril to begin with!!

[OneRuhle]

The USCG Air Crew from Elizabeth City are the only members of the USCG during this ordeal that did their job professionally and did it well. We are lucky to have such skilled professionals looking after us. As for the USCG @ Oregon Inlet I can not say the same. The Boat-crews & command station in Wilmington demonstrated an arrogant ignorance in combination with incompetence that ultimately resulted in the loss of a vessel. THE USCG put civilians LIVES in DANGER then REFUSED TO ASSIST THEM.

[OneRuhle]

This film is complete bu#@^&*!. The vessel in this video is clearly still aground. The USCG did not free the vessel from the bar @ Oregon inlet on 01 02 10, mother nature did with high tide. Which explains how the vessel became a danger to the Bonner bridge. The USCG would did not release the vessel until Sunday 01 03 10. The salvage operation resulted in the loss of the FV Handful and nearly two civilians lives as the USCG clearly displayed an act of omission by failing to act.

[Lobsterlady2362]

I hate to say this people, yes the coast guard can do a great job, but I'm up on the East Coast and I can gusrantee you for sure the Coast Guard really screwed up bad twice. The last time cost 2 fishermen their lives. Anyway, that's what somew people think. If they responded sooner the men would of maybe had a better chance. Pretty sure one of the people in charge at Coast Guard Boston actually lost the job because of it. So they may be good but they also make dire mistakes.

[Scrubs2U]

@strikenetter Thanks for the complete story, always much more that goes on than meets the eye. Love your site, doing a great job, thanks.

I eat fresh fish because of you and people like you

[USCGImagery]

Yes, that was the Bonner Bridge

[seadoggiedog]

is that tjr nem bonner bridge in the background?

[trav1971]

you guys ROCK!

[egyptahly]

god bless our coast guard

[Scrubs2U]

I love our Coast Guard