Accidents of the Week - October 11, 2025
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Toddler, Father Rescued from Waters of Lake Erie
9/26/25 – Ashtabula, OH
A man and his 3-year-old daughter were rescued from Lake Erie by first responders on 26 September after a search that went over an hour, miles off the shore of Ashtabula, Ohio.
Police said they received a 911 call from a person on a boat, saying the 3-year-old and her father were overboard from the boat approximately seven miles out from shore, and lost sight of them.
Father, Toddler Spent Over an Hour Afloat
The Ashtabula Police Department, Community Care Ambulance, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources all responded. A US Coast Guard helicopter joined the search, and the Ashtabula County Dive Team was requested. Multiple drones were put up, and the Ashtabula Fire Department launched the Ashtabula City Police and the Fire boat.
After searching for over an hour, the Ashtabula Fire Department found both the child (who was wearing a life jacket) and the man about seven to eight miles offshore in 62 feet of water. There were no injuries to report, according to Ashtabula Police.
Small Boat Catches Fire in Massachusetts Bay
9/24/25 – Bourne, MA
At approximately 5 a.m. on 24 September, Onset Fire Rescue and Wareham Department of Natural Resources were dispatched to Massachusetts’ Buttermilk Bay for a boat fire.
First responders reported that a small vessel 150 feet from the shore was fully engulfed in flames near the area of Millers Cove. Assistant Fire Chief Howard Anderson said the boat was about 12 to 15 feet in length with a small engine on the back. The area where the fire started was unclear.
Officers disconnected the vessel from the mooring and towed it to shore where the fire was extinguished in 10 minutes. Onset Fire secured the vessel of hazard for salvage efforts.
"Once we were able to get access to the boat and get it moved to shore with the help of Wareham Department of Natural Resources, they have a boat that could get into that shallow water," Anderson said.
There were no people on board and no injuries from the incident, according to the department.
One Hospitalized After Boat Collision Off Fire Island
9/24/25 – Fire Island, NY
A collision of two recreational watercraft occurred approximately 17 miles offshore of New York’s Fire Island at approximately 6 a.m. on 24 September.
The U.S. Coast Guard Station Fire Island and the New York City Police (NYPD) were both mobilized in response. The USCG Public Affairs Detachment New York reported the crash coordinates as 40°22.54’N 073°21.89’W, offshore from Fire Island Inlet.
The Atlantic Ocean collision involved a 31-foot center console vessel called Birthcontrol, with two passengers on board, as well as a 29-foot gray Ocean Runner named Jennap.
Ejected Boater Suffers Broken Rib, Laceration
Coast Guard divers pulled one man from the water who was ejected from Jennap with injuries that included a broken rib and a laceration. The NYPD dispatched a helicopter in response to an urgent marine radio broadcast, which medevacked the injured party to Nassau University Medical Center at 7:15 a.m. in serious, but not life-threatening condition.
Water was pumped from both damaged vessels, which were towed back to the station on Fire Island. EMS crews were on standby to assist the three other passengers upon return to the Coast Guard station, but no additional injuries were reported.
Police Rescue Two People, Dog as Boat Sinks
9/17/25 - Baltimore, MD
A 30-foot cabin boat began to sink last week on Maryland’s Gunpowder River after striking a submerged object, according to the Baltimore County Police Department.
Officer K. Walter responded to the distress call and found two passengers already in the water wearing lifejackets. Walter helped pull both to safety and also rescued their dog, Niko.
No injuries were reported.
Coast Guard Rescues Mariner from Disabled Boat
9/23/25 – Newport, RI
The United States Coast Guard said crews rescued a mariner after their boat got stranded off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island, on 23 September.
The U.S. Coast Guard Castle Hill station received reports of a “vessel in distress” near the Brenton Reef and responded to the area. At the scene, crews found a mariner suffering from symptoms of hypothermia.
The boat crew was able to “safely” bring the mariner to shore and transport them to the Newport Fire Department for care, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Coast Guard Rushes to Save Boat Taking on Water
9/27/25 – Long Island, NY
The Long Island sector of the Coast Guard responded to a mayday call on the morning of 27 September, off the Moriches Inlet of New York’s Fire Island.
Coast Guard crews and the NYPD aviation unit rushed to the scene of a boat taking on water around 20 miles offshore. Units were able to hook and tow the vessel to the Shinnecock Inlet.
The vessel was then intentionally beached and brought to a local marina. No injuries were reported, according to authorities.
Firefighters Extinguish Boat Blaze in Key Largo
9/23/25 – Key Largo, FL
Florida Keys first responders were dispatched to the report of a vessel fire in Key Largo on the afternoon of 23 September.
Key Largo Fire Rescue and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to the boat blaze behind a residence on Pimlico Lane at approximately 4:12 p.m. Firefighters extinguished the approximately 35-foot boat fire.
The residence was reportedly vacant at the time of the incident and there were no reported injuries.
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