Four people were rescued from a well known Island charter fishing boat July 4, off Cape Poge. Banjo of Oak Bluffs sank after striking a submerged object, which ripped a large opening in the keel of the vessel.
Banjo was disabled near the two chimneys, in an area known for dangerous outlying rocks.
Edgartown harbor personnel responded shortly before noon with two boats, according to harbormaster Charlie Blair. The Dukes County Sheriff’s patrol vessel and a private tow boat also responded.
Mr. Blair said his personnel used pumps and bailed with five gallon buckets, in an effort to keep the 32-foot sportfishing vessel afloat. The water was over the engine and cabin bunks, when the bailing effort was abandoned, and the vessel was towed to shallow water just off the beach.
“There was a lot of hydraulic fluids floating around,” Mr. Blair said. “Luckily that evaporates.”
Three people were rescued from the boat, and a 15 year old boy was taken off the beach. He swam to shore before the rescue boats arrived.
Mr. Blair said the boat is owned by Chris Clark, who was at Logan Airport in Boston when Mr. Blair reached him with news of the distressed vessel.
