KENNEBUNKPORT — A Rockland-based fishing vessel sunk several hours after the fishermen aboard called for help.

Plan B, an 81-foot vessel, reported taking on water around 7:20 a.m. while it was about nine miles east of Kennebunkport, according to the Coast Guard. The 81-foot vessel reported that its pumps were unable to keep up with the flooding and the two fishermen were donning survival suits.

Additional Photos

Coast Guard photo of the Plan B. The ship sank around 11 a.m. in about 300 feet of water.

Coast Guard photo of the Plan B. Courtesy photo

“They thought it was going down a lot quicker than it was,” said Lt. Nick Barrow of the Coast Guard’s South Portland office.

Cameran Lee, a smaller lobster vessel, responded to the Coast Guard’s bulletin for help. It arrived about 20 minutes after the bulletin went out and both fishermen aboard Plan B were able to jump onto it, Barrow said.

The first Coast Guard vessel arrived about 10 minutes later. The Coast Gaurd sent a helicopter, two rescue boats and a cutter to the scene.

Plan B sank around 11 a.m. in about 300 feet of water, Barrow said. The Coast Guard is investigating the incident, but it appears that a mechanical issue was the source of the vessel’s problems, he said.

Barrow said the names of the fishermen aboard were not available and that the Coast Guard would not normally release.

Plan B was traveling between Portland and Gloucester, Mass.. The stern trawler was not fishing at the time.

Coast Guard crews observed a diesel sheen on the water. It’s not known how much disel was aboard. Barrow said the fuel from Plan B cannot be recovered but that the diesel is expected to dissipate naturally.

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