UPDATE and CORRECTION; Coast Guard responds to fishing vessel alliding with San Mateo Bridge

DATE: April 14, 2009 10:00:03 PM PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

		Eleventh Coast Guard District
NEWS RELEASE	DATE: CONTACT:	April 14, 2009 Public Affairs (510) 772-8865
UPDATE and CORRECTION; Coast Guard responds to fishing vessel alliding with San Mateo Bridge
ALAMEDA, Calif.- The Coast Guard responded to a fishing vessel that had grounded in South San Francisco Bay at 2:45 p.m., today. The fishing vessel was grounded near the San Mateo Bridge. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tern arrived on scene at 4 p.m., and took two of the three crewmembers and their dog off the vessel. The cutter's small boat, which was used to rescue the people from the fishing vessel, broke down and was in distress due to the weather conditions. The cutter put the small boat in tow and was able to get close enough to the Tern to bring the two crewmembers and their dog aboard the cutter. An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station San Francisco hoisted the Coast Guard personnel from the small boat, and took them to the air station. All are listed in good condition. The vessel came free and later allied the San Mateo Bridge, at 6 p.m. The third person climbed onto a bridge abutment from the fishing vessel, and was rescued by a good samaritan. Coast Guard and California Fish and Game investigators are currently enroute to investigate any pollution potential. Damage to the bridge is being assessed at this time. ### CORRECTION: The original press release stated that a HH-65 Dolphin helicopter had rescued all members aboard the small boat.