August 17, 2017 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The fishing vessel Challenge sank early Wednesday on city’s waterfront, officials said.
The fuel spill spread about 1.5 miles into Fairhaven, the United States Coast Guard reported in a press release.
Fire Chief Michael Gomes said the Fire Department found the 65-foot fishing vessel had sunk by its stern and was leaking diesel fuel and lube oil into the harbor when they arrived. The Fire Department was notified about 4:30 a.m.
The captain from the tugboat Realist called Coast Guard Sector Southeastern watchstanders around 3:50 a.m., reporting the Challenge sunk at the pier and was actively discharging fuel, a press release from the Coast Guard stated.
Coast Guard crews are overseeing the fuel spill cleanup.