Shrimp boat sinks, spilling diesel fuel

MADEIRA BEACH -- A 33-foot shrimp boat sank Friday night near the entrance to John's Pass, spilling diesel fuel into the surrounding area, Coast Guard officials said. By Saturday morning, the fuel had dissipated.

The Coast Guard received a distress call from the boat at about 10:15 p.m. Friday. It had run aground with three people on board, officials said. A local towing company rescued the three crew members and took them ashore. No one was hurt, Coast Guard officials said.

The boat, named the Rodac, normally docks in Redington Beach. It had about 200 gallons of diesel fuel on board. The fuel began flowing into the surrounding water, but 2- to 3-foot sea swells prevented response crews from containing the fuel spill, Coast Guard officials said.

Officials have not yet determined why the boat sank.

Times staff writer