Crab boat sinks in bay

CHARLESTON — Three fisherman are fine after their crabbing boat sank in the bay Tuesday, but the owner of the sunken Manatee will have to get it off the bay floor.

A U.S. Coast Guard rescue crew fished the three men out of the water near Coos Bay’s South Jetty after the Manatee capsized and sank. Two went to Bay Area Hospital to be evaluated for hypothermia.

Petty Office Melissa Byrd of Coast Guard Air Station North Bend said at about 3 p.m., a crewman aboard the Manatee radioed the Coast Guard Station for help. He said the boat was taking on water. The 38-foot wood-hulled boat is registered to W.L. “Bill” Merritt of Charleston, according to records from the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay. Coast Guard records show it was built in 1941.

Rescuers, who arrived in a 47-foot Coast Guard motor life boat, retrieved the three crewmen from the sinking Manatee and took them to the Coast Guard dock in Charleston.

The vessel eventually sank near the Coos Bay river bar entrance.

Byrd said no pollution was reported. No names were available at press time. The petty officer did not know why the vessel sunk south of the South Jetty. Members of the Charleston Rural Fire Protection District assisted at the scene. Byrd said the ship’s master/owner is responsible for salvage of the vessel.