Six escape burning tugboat off coast of Florida

Tope0duwniknljsxa86t Tskhy8ow7de7kmxcn Dbu Js Msbl1g Qszacvicdl3lfry2xtys Splc0onaicxdvqok1miyf0pmxbublls Z8p250phgyzisgxl7gb Sxs0 D E1 Ft

The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(MATANZAS, Fla.) — Coast Guard rescue crews are responding to a reported boat fire Friday eight miles east of Matanzas.

The six people aboard Thomas Dann donned life jackets before abandoning ship into a life raft.

Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville watch standers received a distress call reporting a 100-foot tug and barge was on fire at 5:05 p.m. A Coast Guard 45-foot response boat-medium crew from Station Ponce De Leon and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater were launched.

A good Samaritan recovered the crew and is en route to Station Ponce De Leon.

The Coast Guard boat crew is maintaining a security zone around the vessel until a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue boat arrives on scene.

By Professional Mariner Staff