Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Texas Sailors Rescued from Burning Tugboat

A 4 man crew has been rescued from a burning tugboat in the Intracoastal Waterway near Port Isabel, Texas, the Coast Guard reported Monday. The tugboat: The Wally Blessey was pushing a barge loaded with lube oil when a fire broke out in the engine room. The tug's Captain notified the Coast Guard at South Padre Island and two 27-foot rescue boats safely pulled the crew from the burning vessel within 12 minutes. The barge was disconnected and towed away by another tugboat. The fire eventually burned itself out.
HATS OFF TO THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD!
SEMPER PARATUS