Coast Guard Cutter Collides With and Sinks F/V Sea Shepherd

The 42-foot fishing vessel Sea Shepherd sinks approximately nine nautical miles northeast of Vieques, Puerto Rico, following a collision with the Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo collided with the 42-foot commercial fishing vessel Sea Shepherd earlier today, sinking the vessel approximately nine nautical miles east northeast of Vieques, Puerto Rico according to a USCG report.

The Key Largo was on a routine patrol when the collision happened at 6:38am.  The Sea Shepherd sank to a depth of more than 100 feet, but the two crewmembers onboard were recovered by the crew of the Key Largo.  The crewmembers were identified as Winston Ledee, 57, and Kenneth Turbe, 30, both residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands.  There were no injuries or pollution reported.

Homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Key Largo is a 110-foot Island Class Cutter.  The Island Class replaced the 95-foot Cape Class patrol boats and are equipped with advanced electronics and navigation equipment.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into what caused the collision.

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