The Coast Guard yesterday announced that its response to the sinking of the fishing vessel Patriot, which went down under still uncertain circumstances in January with its crew of two, was slow and flawed.
"Our review of this case showed that we were slow to launch search and rescue assets because of poor collection and analysis of information and decision-making regarding the Patriot’s status," said Vice Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr.
According to his report, the search and rescue effort was not launched until 2 hours and 23 minutes after the first notice of distress on the Patriot, which had gone fishing after dark on Jan. 2 to Middle Bank, about 15 miles from Gloucester Harbor.