USCG Cutter, Fishing Vessel Collide off Puerto Rico

The Coast Guard is investigating a collision Tuesday between the Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo and the 42-foot commercial fishing vessel, Sea Shepherd, approximately nine nautical miles east northeast of Vieques, Puerto Rico.

At 6:38 a.m., the Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo was on a routine patrol when the collision occurred.  Following the collision, the Sea Shepherd sank at a depth of over 100 feet.

The crew of the Key Largo recovered and embarked the two-man crew of the Sea Shepherd, Winston Ledee, 57, and Kenneth Turbe, 30, both residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands.   No pollution or injuries have been reported concerning the incident.

The Key Largo is a 110-foot island class cutter homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico.