PORTLAND (AP) – A third-generation fisherman from Portland is counting his blessings after being rescued at sea for the second time in five months.

John Emerton, 41, was one of three fishermen rescued Wednesday by the Coast Guard after the 44-foot Celtic Pride sank 55 miles southeast of Casco Bay.

Emerton experienced a similar ordeal in November when a rogue wave smashed the cockpit windows and swamped the Sea Witch Five, a 55-footer out of Portsmouth, N.H.

He said the latest sinking was scarier because it happened so fast.

“We were headed to Portland to go unload some fish. One minute you’re working on deck; the next minute you’re bailing for your life,” Emerton told the Portland Press Herald. “We just had to react.”

The Coast Guard, which rescued the three crewmen by helicopter, praised them for their orderly evacuation and said their quick response to the imminent sinking was the key to their survival.

“It’s a very wonderful story,” said Coast Guard Lt. Connie Braesch in Portland. “It’s just such a great day when we’re all part of this.”

The Celtic Pride was returning to Portland with a load of groundfish when it began slowing down and skipper Tim Daggett, 39, of Gorham, went below and found water quickly filling the engine room.

“The water was right there . . . It was unbelievable,” Emerton said. “We tried to lighten the load on the back by letting some nets down,” but the water was coming in too fast. Even with four pumps running, the water was rising, he said.

Emerton and Mitch McNeil, 22, of South Portland, grabbed survival suits, the life raft and the emergency radio beacon, while Daggett issued a distress call that was picked up by the Coast Guard.

“Nobody panicked and we got off there pretty efficiently,” Daggett said.

Daggett, who is married to Emerton’s sister, said he is not superstitious and does not believe his brother-in-law’s experiencing two sinkings represents either bad luck or good.

“I’m just saying it’s a coincidence, that’s all.”

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