A Coast Guard lifeboat safely transported three fishermen before their boat sank after a collision with another fishing vessel 22 miles off Grays Harbor, Wash., the Coast Guard said.

Crews from Station Grays Harbor and Coast Guard Air Station Astoria responded to an initial report of a collision between the Tabitha, a 62-foot commercial fishing vessel and the Nora J, a 35-foot wooden commercial fishing vessel around 6:40 a.m. July 21.

The Nora J sustained significant damage during the collision and was reported to be taking on water. The Tabitha was reported to have no significant damage; no injuries were reported.

The Coast Guard 47-foot motor lifeboat crew arrived on scene at 8:25 a.m. Upon arrival, the crew safely removed all three crewmembers from the Nora J and transferred them to Station Grays Harbor. The Tabitha remained on scene to provide additional support.  

 The rescuers worked to help the crew save their boat but “dewatering efforts were ultimately unsuccessful on the Nora J and the vessel sank in 300 feet of water. There are no reports of pollution,” according to the Coast Guard.

 “We are grateful to the Station Grays Harbor crew who swiftly arrived on scene and helped prevent any of the mariners from entering the water,” said Lt. Patrick Norton, a command duty officer at the Coast Guard Columbia River Command Center. “The Coast Guard is proud to support the men and women whose livelihood depends on the waters of the Pacific Northwest.”   

 On-scene weather conditions were 3-foot seas, 7 mph winds and a sea temperature of 58 degrees. 

 The incident is currently under investigation.