Lobster fishermen rescued from grounded boat

Four Prince Edward Island lobster fishermen are safe after their boat ran aground on a sandbar Saturday afternoon.

It happened on the first day of the lobster season.

Barry Smith, with the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Halifax, said the boat got hung up on its way out from Malpeque Harbour at about 4 p.m.

Other fishing boats were nearby, he said, but could not get close enough for a rescue.

The Canadian Coast Guard in Summerside then dispatched a speedboat that was able to reach the fishermen.

Smith said the fishing boat is still stuck, and strong onshore winds may keep it there until Sunday when crews will attempt to free it.