Police and Fire News

Tug runs aground; Rollover on Mid-Cape Highway; Veterans Day events

Tug runs aground near Buzzards Bay

   Coast Guardsmen took the three crew members off the tug Southern Cross after it ran aground near Buzzards Bay.

Coast Guard rescues three crew members from listing vessel

 BUZZARDS BAY - Coast Guard crews helped a Boston-based tug crew today after they grounded their vessel near Buzzards Bay, Mass., around 1 p.m.

No injuries were reported of the three crewmembers aboard the tug Southern Cross.

Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England received a radio call from the tug reporting that the engine room was flooding and could not be controlled. The crew said they planned to beach the vessel to keep it from sinking.

A Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew launched from Air Station Cape Cod while a 47-foot boat crew launched from Coast Guard Station Menemsha to help the crew of the 82-foot vessel.

Rescue crews arrived on scene at 1:50 p.m., to find the tug aground near Barney Joy Point, off Dartmouth, Mass.

The 47-foot boat crew took the Southern Cross crew aboard as the grounded tug started to list.

The tug reportedly has about 1,500 gallons of fuel aboard and about 110 gallons of oily water in the vessel's bilge, but the tug cannot be boomed off yet due to weather conditions.

A Coast Guard investigator is on scene conducting a preliminary investigation and a 41-foot boat crew from Coast Guard Station Woods Hole is on scene enforcing a safety zone around the tug.

Drug and alcohol testing has been ordered for the crew of the Southern Cross.

Seas are about three to four feet with winds around 30 miles per hour.

The Dartmouth Harbor Master and a Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrew also responded to the initial call.

"Our biggest concern at this point is the potential for pollution," said John Harland, the search and rescue controller working the case from Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. "We are working with the tug's owner to arrange a salvage plan."

SUV crashes at Exit 6 ramp on Mid-Cape Highway
Sheriff's Department dog searches for missing driver

BARNSTABLE - West Barnstable firefighters are shown at the scene of a rollover crash involving a sports utility vehicle on the Route 6 westbound on-ramp at Route 132. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene of the accident, which happened around noon Sunday. A Barnstable County Sheriff's Department dog was en route to the scene to search for the driver.

Photo by David G. Curran.

Support Our Troops for the Holidays

The men and women of the Yarmouth Police Department in cooperation with, American Veterans Post 333, Cape Cod Veterans Organizations and Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops welcome your support and assistance for our brave troops this coming holiday season.

There are several events planned this weekend to honor of Veterans Day and to display support for our troops:

• Monday, November 10, 2008     11:00AM        Merrill Park Rt. 28 West Dennis
• Monday, November 10, 2008    2:00PM to 5:00PM    O’Shea’s Olde Inn Rt. 28 Dennis
• Tuesday, November 11, 2008    12:00 PM to 6:00PM    Claddagh Inn Rt. 28 West Harwich

The Yarmouth Police Department will continue to serve as a drop off location for the Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops program throughout this holiday season.  Persons interested in dropping off items needed for our troops may drop off the items at any time at Yarmouth Police Headquarters.

The following is a list of some of items needed:

• Multivitamins
• Tuna Fish in Packets
• High Protein Nutrition Shakes
• High Protein Nutrition Bars
• High Protein Beef Jerky
• Slim Jims
• On the Go Packets of Crystal Light and Gatorade
• Trail Mix
• Coffee
• Hot Chocolate
• Peanuts
• Sunflower Seeds
• Antibacterial Wipes
• Shaving Items
• Sun Screen
• Movies-DVDs
• Socks
• Letters and Cards of Thanks and Support

For further information please contact Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops at www.capecod4thetroops.com.