ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard is assisting a disabled 45-foot commercial fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico 98 miles northwest of Tampa Bay, Florida, Wednesday. The distressed fishing vessel was already in progress of towing another craft when the call for help was received.

So both vessels are now en route back to safe port via a "tandem tow" courtesy of USCG cutter Alligator.

At approximately 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a radio call, via VHF-FM channel 16, from the captain of the commercial fishing vessel, Christie Sea, stating the boat was disabled, taking on water and also towing an unmanned boat, the Shamrock.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida, and the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Alligator, homeported in St. Petersburg, were launched.

At approximately 3 a.m. the Jayhawk crew arrived on scene and made contact with the captain of the Christie Sea. The captain stated there were no medical concerns or distress.

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