A doctor aboard a 150-year-old schooner was killed Monday morning when the ship’s mainmast broke under sail and collapsed onto the deck off the coast of Maine.
The Grace Bailey, a 118-foot “windbreaker” that operates tours in Maine waters, was returning from a four-day cruise with 33 people on board when the mast broke, its owner said in a statement.
Towing services rushed to the scene about a mile from Rockland Harbor, and arrived to find people performing CPR on a victim.
Emily Mecklenburg, 40, a doctor from Rockland, was later pronounced dead, while three others were rushed to hospital with head, spine and crush injuries.
Emergency responders said they saw someone trapped under a fallen pole.
“It was an unexpected situation,” said Charlie Weidman, owner of Charlie’s Marine Services and the first person to reach the schooner after the accident.
“No one trains to break a giant mast on a schooner. Everyone acted with professionalism. Everyone does the best they can with the gifts they have.”
Weidman towed the boat to Rockland Harbor, where one of the victims was taken out.
The 118-foot Grace Bailey was towed into Rockland Harbor after the mast split under sail. A passenger was killed. AP Dr. Emily Mecklenburg, 40, was killed when Grace Bailey’s main pole snapped Monday.
The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident. Officials said it was calm and not windy when the accident happened.
“We want to make sure the investigation is being done thoroughly and the necessary boxes are being checked,” Coast Guard Ensign Matthew Bartnick said Tuesday.
Although the Grace Bailey was built in 1882, like many other tall ships operating off the coast of New England, she has been refurbished many times over the years.
Almost all of the planking has been replaced during the boat’s life, and the broken mast is not original, said boat spokeswoman Nicole Jacques.
Built in 1882, Grace Bailey sails off the coast of Maine. It has been modified many times.
The ship’s owner also said they did not know why the mast broke.
“My crew and I are very disappointed by this morning’s accident, especially as the safety of our guests is always our top priority,” said the ship’s captain, Sam Sikkema.
“Most importantly, we are deeply saddened by the loss of a friend.”
Dr. Mecklenburg works for the MaineHealth system, primarily out of Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockland.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
