Near Miss at Sea
by Bernice Johnson
The Captain Brennon tied off between the FV Empty Pockets and FV North Eastern about 20 miles off Corea. After getting a pump aboard they towed the Brennon in. Brandon Johnson photo. Taken with his cell phone from the FV Lamb of God.
On a cold morning, December 17, with the temperature just hovering out of the single numbers and a northwestern breeze, the fishing vessel, Captain Brennon, started taking on water. Captain Ethan Whittaker, 21, and crew member, Brandon Johnson, realized the boat was sinking. They issued a distress call on their local VHS channnel, then donned their survival suits.
They were preparing to launch their life raft when the FV Lamb of God with Captain Charles Kelley, arrived on the scene. He was closely followed by Empty Pockets with Captain Brian Dinsmore and crew, as well as the FV North Eastern with Captain Mike Hunt and crew. With Whittaker and Johnson safely aboard the Lamb of God, Captain Dinsmore and Captain Hunt tied off lines to the bow and stern of the Captain Brennon.
This maneuver kept the boat from slipping beneath the waves. As more help arrived, the de-watering process was started which saved the Captain Brennon. When it became clear the water pumps were barely holding their own, Captain Joe Smith of the Karen Jo sped to get a large generator and pump from Darren Turner of Prospect Harbor. During the de-watering it was discovered that the rudder box had failed and was partially torn from the hull.
While the de-watering process took several hours, the new gas pump and generator contributed greatly to saving the Captain Brennon.
The North Eastern then proceeded to tow the Captain Brennon to its homeport in Corea Harbor. Since the vessel was nearly 20 miles offshore when the mishap occurred, it took more than three hours.
The Coast Guard, too far away to render immediate assistance, monitored the rescue at intervals throughout the operation.
The captain and crew of the Captain Brennon and all the fishermen who responded showed a great deal of professionalism in repairing this boat and enough on scene to allow it to be towed ashore and saved. Although the engine and most of the gear did fill with water, she is now being repaired at a boatyard.
Correction: Last month it was incorrectly reported that Brandon Johnson was the owner of the FV Captain Brennon.