Coast Guard Leatherback Turtle

VIDEO: Coast Guard Frees Entangled Leatherback Turtle Near Woods Hole

The Coast Guard along with entanglement response personnel from the Center for Coastal Studies freed a leatherback turtle Sunday morning after it was reported wrapped in fishing line near Woods Hole.

At approximately 8:15 a.m. the Coast Guard was notified by a good Samaritan of a leatherback turtle that was entangled in line from a lobster pot.

A Coast Guard 45-foot rescue boat crew from Station Woods Hole along with two entanglement specialists from the Center for Coastal Studies launched at around 8:45 a.m and arrived at the scene at around 9:05 a.m.

The entanglement response crew freed the leatherback turtle at approximately 9:15 a.m.

“The turtle swam away and appeared to be in good health,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Kurt Chlebek, the officer of the day at Station Woods Hole.