Seven other crew members from the “Jose Almuiña,” a Spanish-flagged fishing vessel, have already been rescued by commercial vessels that were in the region, a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard received the emergency signal from the vessel at about 2:30 a.m. Using an automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue system, the Coast Guard located, contacted and then diverted the two commercial vessels that were in the area.
At about 7:45 a.m. the “SKS Mosel” located the capsized and sinking vessel, but none of the 11 crew members were aboard, the Coast Guard news release said.
F/V Jose Almuiña Bow Down in Heavy Seas
The “Navig8 Stealth II” found a flare and then located a life raft with seven people aboard. All were reported in good health.
Those rescued said there were four other crew members who were separated from the group when the vessel capsized, the news release said. The two commercial vessels assisting in the search reported strong winds and 15-foot seas.
A C-130 airplane and rescue crew from the Coast Guard station in Elizabeth City was en route to assist in the search, the news release said.
Weather in the area has been reported as gale force winds and 15 foot seas. The above satellite image from NOAA shows a strong low pressure system off the east coast extending well past Bermuda
