Coast Guard assists fishing vessel taking on water 104 miles south of Sabine

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard assisted a 78-foot commercial fishing vessel that was taking on water 104 miles south of Sabine, Tuesday.

Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a mayday call from the captain of the fishing vessel Lancero at approximately 2:21 a.m., stating that the vessel with five people aboard was taking on water and required immediate assistance. A 406 electronic positioning indicating radio beacon notification was also transmitted.

The Coast Guard launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescue crew from Air Station Houston and an HU-25 Falcon aircraft crew from Air Station Corpus Christi at approximately 3 a.m.

The aircrafts located the Lancero and delivered a total of three dewatering pumps.

The Lancero's sister vessel, the fishing vessel Ranchero, arrived on scene and assisted in dewatering the Lancero and securing the leak. Lancero's engines were fully operational at 11:30 a.m., and the vessel is currently en route to Brownsville.

The incident is under investigation.

Audio:

Mayday call #1

Mayday call #2