BOSTON (AP) – The Coast Guard has ordered a Maine-based fishing boat back to port because it was missing important lifesaving equipment.

The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Moray from Jonesport boarded the 43-foot Canadian Exchange about four miles off Prospect Harbor and ordered it back to port Tuesday night because there was no life raft. The scalloper’s homeport is Prospect Harbor.

Life rafts are required for all commercial fishing boats that are greater than 36 feet and operating within 12 nautical miles of shore. Coast Guard Lt. John Rice in Boston describes them as “a mariner’s first and last hope” in an emergency. He says all mariners should have them and know how to use them.

AP-ES-03-19-08 1119EDT