Tour Boat Taking On Water Towed Back To Gloucester Harbor

GLOUCESTER (CBS) - A tour boat with 34 people on board had to be towed back into Gloucester Harbor after it started taking on water Saturday afternoon.

The 37-foot King Eider, operated by Cape Ann Harbor Tours, sent out a mayday call near Brace Cove at about 4:30 p.m.

"We were just cruising along, engine died started taking on water, we were taking buckets throwing them over the side helping get some water out of the boat," said passenger Peter Krasnausky. "A couple of people started getting sick, especially when they brought out the life jackets. That got everybody a little stirred up."

The captain reported the boat was taking on water at the rate of five gallons per minute. It worried even those who are accustomed to being out at sea like passenger Brian Clinch.

"I used to do some commercial fishing in high school and I've been on boats thousands of times and that's the closest I've ever been to actually sinking," Clinch said laughing.

The Coast Guard sent an urgent broadcast for boats in the vicinity to help. The charter fishing boat Lisa & Jake was the first to arrive.

The Coast Guard, Gloucester Harbor Master and State Police also responded. Water was pumped off the boat as the Lisa & Jake towed the King Eider back into Gloucester Harbor.

"The immediate response of Lisa & Jake to the urgent marine broadcast message was key to the success of this rescue and is a testament to the respect and responsibility among mariners in this area," said Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Devan Smith.

No injuries were reported.