Rescue At Sea

The five-man crew of the Trinity, a dragger out of Rhode Island, was saved by a Coast Guard helicopter and cutter after their boat sank in mountainous seas and a driving snowstorm 60 miles southwest of Montauk early Friday morning.

The crew of the Montauk-based dragger Pontos stood by in case help was needed, and witnessed the rescue.

According to the Coast Guard's First District Headquarters in Boston, a Mayday was received at 1:23 a.m. The Trinity was taking on water. A helicopter was dispatched from Cape Cod, and the 270-foot, medium-endurance cutter Seneca, already at sea on patrol, also responded.

It was dark, winds were gusting to 50 knots with snow. Seas were 15 to 25 feet.

Capt. Mike Welch of the Pontos said his boat was 17 miles from the Trinity when the Mayday came over the radio. "The seas were hideous. We were finishing up a tow and were going to turn to and ride it out."

Instead, the Pontos headed for the sinking boat and reached it in time to see the helicopter arrive. The Trinity crew was already in a lifeboat and being taken off. As their boat sank, three were rescued by the helicopter, two by the cutter.

"We saw it go down," said Captain Welch. "The lights just disappeared. They were lucky the Coast Guard was there. Everything went perfectly."

Coast Guard authorities said it was not yet known what caused the Trinity to take on water. There were no injuries.