Tugboat sinks in Mobile Bay

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - Three people were rescued by the Coast Guard and a fourth made it to shore on a small boat after their tugboat partially sank in Mobile Bay.

A Coast Guard report says the tugboat sunk around 3 a.m. Saturday, leaving the crew of four stranded.

A rescue helicopter and crew from the Coast Guard Air Station in New Orleans found and rescued three of the crew members around 5 a.m. The fourth crew member made it ashore in a 14-foot skiff and contacted the local fire department to say he was safe.

A Coast Guard pollution team was on its way to the partially sunken tug to try to contain any fuel and oil that may leak from the boat.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.