The U.S. Coast Guard was called into action on Monday after a 118-foot schooner named the Grace Bailey suffered a demasting incident that resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries. The accident occurred approximately one mile east of Rockland Harbor, Maine.
Around 10 a.m., personnel aboard the schooner contacted the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England command center, seeking help after their mast broke and fell onto the deck. The collapse caused head and back injuries to four of the 33 people on board. Responding to the call, Coast Guard watchstanders dispatched a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (MLB) crew from Coast Guard Station Rockland to assist in the emergency.
The MLB crew initially transferred one injured woman from the Grace Bailey to Rockland Harbor. Unfortunately, she was pronounced deceased upon transfer to waiting emergency medical services (EMS). The MLB crew returned to the scene with two EMS personnel to evacuate the remaining three injured individuals. They were transferred to Rockland Harbor and then transported to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport for medical attention.
Capt. Amy Florentino, the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England commander, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “In this time of sorrow, we offer our deepest condolences to the grieving family, and our most heartfelt wishes for a swift recovery to those harmed. Our investigation aims to identify causative factors that led to this tragic incident,” she said.
Charlie’s Marine Services commercial salvage personnel also responded to the incident and towed the damaged Grace Bailey to Rockport Harbor. The Coast Guard has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the tragic demasting event.