BOSTON -- A Gloucester lobster boat became disabled Wednesday night hundreds of miles offshore, The U.S. Coast Guard said.

According to the Coast Guard, the fishermen aboard the 77-foot boat, Michael and Kristen, suspected contaminated fuel and called for help when the boat’s engines would not start at about 3:30 p.m. At the time, they were located more than 200 miles southeast of Nantucket.

Attempts to reach the boat were described as spotty, so the Coast Guard sent air units to help guide the vessel to a location where radio communication could be established. The Coast Guard said officials will keep regular radio contact with the vessel until it's secured.

The crew of a nearby fishing vessel, Rachel Leah, responded to the Michael and Kristen's call for help and began towing the lobster boat. The Coast Guard sent a cutter from Boston to meet the vessels to assess the situation.

The Coast Guard described challenging weather conditions, indicating there were 40 mph winds with gusts up to 50 mph and 9- to 12-foot seas that were expected to increase to 11 to 16 feet through the night. The forecast also calls for isolated snow showers overnight. Officials expressed concern for freezing spray from the water.