NEAH BAY, Wash. — Coast Guard crews rescued five fishermen off Cape Alava near Neah Bay Wednesday.
The fishermen had to abandon the 87-foot fishing vessel, Sunnfjord, when it began taking on water and they could not pump it out fast enough.
Coast Guard helicopter crews conducting training maneuvers and several other Coast Guard vessels responded to the sinking boat, and despite the captain’s arguments, decided to abandon ship.
The Sunnfjord sank in the 300-foot-deep waters six miles off shore.
About 800 gallons of diesel are on board the fishing vessel.