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July 18, 2007

Man escapes burning fishing boat south of Newport

The lone man aboard Jamestown-based fishing boat Lucy, which burst into flames about four miles south of Newport, escaped in a life raft today and called Coast Guard Station Castle Hill by cell phone.

Chris Lutyens was taken aboard a 25-foot Coast Guard response boat from Castle Hill to the Jamestown pier and then to Newport Hospital for follow-up treatment, according to a Coast Guard news release.

The Jamestown Fire Department arrived around 7:30 a.m. and fought the fire until the ship sank in about 100 feet of water after Lutyens reported the Lucy was on fire around 6:20 a.m.

Crew of another fishing boat, the Odyssey, had seen the fire and took Lutyens aboard. A 25-foot Coast Guard response-boat and a 41-foot utility boat arrived on-scene around 6:35 a.m.

"Since Mr. Lutyens had a life raft aboard and the knowledge of how to use it, he was able to safely evacuate the vessel and call for help," said Petty Officer Jason Ronin of Station Castle Hill in a statement. "We strongly urge all boaters to ensure they have operable emergency equipment when planning to be at sea."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 11:12 AM | Permalink

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