The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(BOSTON) — The Coast Guard is assisting a disabled 356-foot asphalt tanker 210 miles off the coast of Nantucket after it reportedly lost power.
The Netherlands coast guard called watch standers at the 1st Coast Guard District at about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and reported the Marshall Island-flagged tanker Asphalt Sailor was disabled with a crew of 17 aboard.
The 154-foot Coast Guard cutter Rollin Fritch, home-ported in Cape May, N.J., and patrolling offshore, was the first asset to arrive on scene at about 5 a.m. Friday. Assessing the situation, they reported the Asphalt Sailor crew was in no immediate danger, and worked to determine the cause of the power outage.
The 270-foot Coast Guard cutter Legare, home-ported in Portsmouth, Va., and patrolling off the coast of New England, is scheduled to take over for Rollin Fritch at about 4:30 p.m. The parent company of Asphalt Sailor is working to dispatch a tug from New York City to meet with the vessel and tow it back to port.
The vessel is not carrying cargo and no injuries were reported.
