Miami River freighter rescued
The 184-foot Miami River freighter Sea Taxi was reported taking on water 12 miles northeast of Miami Beach early Thursday and was being returned to port with the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard said it received a mayday call from the captain of the Sea Taxi at 11:40 p.m. Wednesday. The Coast Guard immediately launched an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from the Coast Guard Air Station Miami and sent the Coast Guard cutter Sitkinak from the Coast Guard Station Miami Beach.
There were no injuries reported on the five-member crew. The Sitkinak sent a damage control team on board the Sea Taxi and made temporary repairs. The Coast Guard said the vessel had been taking on an estimated 120 gallons a minute in the engine room.
The Coast Guard said the Sea Taxi would be allowed to re-enter the Miami River under strict guidelines, entering only during daylight hours and using tug boats to make way. The captain must also have the vessel boomed off at the moorings and immediately have divers in the water to inspect and make repairs to the hull.
The Coast Guard said the cause of the problems had not been determined, but the vessel may have hit ground while departing Wednesday.
A Coast Guard spokesman said there was no information available on the ownership of the vessel. He said the Sea Taxi is flagged with the Cambodian registry.
Miami River freighter rescued
