Update 3:25
Terry Alexander, owner of the Rachel T, was at Willard Beach assessing the damaged fishing vessel this afternoon.
There is about 10,000 pounds of fish on the Rachel T, which fishes out of Portland, Alexander said. He said he may not be able to salvage the catch.
Alexander was not on the vessel when it ran aground early this morning and said the cause of the incident is still under investigation.
Update 1:45
The Rachel T is resting on Willard Beach at this time, according to U.S. Coast Guard authorities.
The fishing vessel that ran aground early this morning was freed when a wave created by another vessel pushed her off the rocks. Authorities said crews were hoping to tow the Rachel T to Portland, but she was sinking.
The vessel was towed to Willard Beach instead, where it will await low tide which is at 5:40 p.m. Crews will then patch the Rachel T so she can be towed to Gowen Marine in Portland.
With 400 gallons of diesel fuel on board, there was also concern for pollution. Crews from Clean Harbors set up a boom that would keep any leaked fuel from contaminating surrounding environment, U.S. Coast Guard said.
CAPE ELIZABETH—A fishing vessel that ran aground early this morning is now floating toward the Willard Beach area in South Portland.
The vessel ran aground around 4:44 a.m. between Portland Head Light and Willard Beach, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Monika Gogola said. Four people on board were able to get off the vessel safely without injury.
According to Gogola, the Maine Marine Patrol is currently monitoring the situation and communicating with the boat’s owners. The vessel is in unnavigable waters, so the marine patrol is hoping to bring in a salvage company to push it up on Willard Beach, Gogola said.
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