Accidents of the Week - October 26, 2024

BoatTEST publishes “Accidents of the Week” as a public service for our VIP Subscribers to acquaint them with potential boating dangers and by inference their prevention.

Fishermen Rescue Stranded Boater Off Cape Cod

10/19/24 – Chatham, MA

A pair of friends fishing off southeast Cape Cod, near Monomoy Island, found themselves coming to the aid of a fellow boater on 19 October, after his vessel capsized in large swells miles from shore.

“We were lucky that we were able to identify him and able to get there,” said Nick Whitbeck, owner of Island X Lures on Nantucket, Massachusetts. Whitbeck was fishing with friend Joe Tormay when they spotted a bump in the water about a half-mile from their location.

At first, Tormay thought it might be a dead whale. Then he saw movement. “I could see sort of a hand waving,” he told local reporters. “That’s obviously when we realized it was an overturned boat.”

With ocean temperatures around 55° Fahrenheit and sunset approaching, the pair didn’t waste any time. They immediately began heading in the direction of the capsized boat. As they got closer, they used their phones to zoom in for a better visual of what was ahead and how many people might need help. “You could see his hands up, using his hat, desperately trying to get anyone’s attention,” Whitbeck said.

Good Samaritan Fisherman, 4-Year Coast Guard Vet

The man was alone and without a life jacket. He later told Whitbeck and Tormay his boat had capsized about an hour earlier and that other boats had not seen his waves for help. “He was definitely in shock, and he was very thankful,” Tormay said. “He was by himself, luckily.”

The man was an experienced boater, they said. “I’d say he knew where he was going and he knew what he was doing,” Tormay said. “But unfortunately, the way the seas are, you might think you’re fine and then all of a sudden, a wave catches you…. In a split second, that boat fills with water and you’re flipped and in the water.”

Tormay, who spent four years in the U.S. Coast Guard, helped Whitbeck navigate close enough to the overturned boat to safely toss the man a life jacket and ultimately helped get him to safety. The pair also called the Coast Guard, who arrived to assist a short time later.

The man was uninjured and taken safely back to shore. Tormay and Whitbeck say his boat was also able to be towed back to land, where plans were to upright it, pump out the water, and make repairs.

Coast Guard Rescues 3 Boaters from Disabled Vessel

10/19/24 – Narragansett, RI

The U.S. Coast Guard helped rescue three boaters from the waters off Narragansett Beach, Rhode Island, on 19 October.

The Coast Guard responded to a disabled vessel between Whale Rock and Narragansett Beach, after the Sector Southeastern New England command center received numerous reports that a 19-foot pleasure craft was disabled. Reports said the vessel appeared to be in danger of drifting onto rocks near Whale Rock.

Responders from Station Point Judith were able to recover all three people on board. No injuries were reported, and after an evaluation, the three people did not require medical attention.

The disabled vessel was towed back and did not crash into the rocks.

Lifeguard Recounts Off-Duty Rescue of Teen Lost at Sea

10/16/24 – Honolulu, HI

A lifeguard fought back tears as he described rescuing a teenager who had been lost at sea off Hawaii in his kayak for nearly 12 hours.

Noland Keaulana was off duty when he got a text from his wife saying the 17-year-old son of a friend was missing. Mr Keaulana commandeered a boat and eventually found the boy who had become separated from his group. "I was actually crying my guts off because he was okay," he said.

The US Coast Guard had used planes, boats and drones to look for the boy, who was later treated for "exhaustion, dehydration, exertion, and cold exposure", according to Honolulu EMS paramedics.

Body of Missing Jet Skier Pulled from River

10/20/24 – McHenry Co., IL

A jet skier was found dead after going missing in the Fox River in McHenry County, Illinois, on the afternoon of 20 October, according to the Nunda Rural Fire Protection District said.

District officials responded to a report of a water rescue near Burton's Bridge on Route 176 in McHenry County just before 2 p.m. One person was reported missing, and an overturned personal watercraft could be seen in the middle of the Fox River, officials said.

The missing person's body was found in the water just after 3 p.m. A second jet skier, who was traveling in tandem on a separate watercraft, declined medical treatment at the scene. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources launched an investigation, but no further information was immediately available.

Man Injured by Propeller, Medevac’d by Coast Guard

10/19/24 – Wassaw Island, GA

A 33-year-old man was medevaced by a Coast Guard Air Station Savannah rescue crew from the recreation vessel, Lulu, in Wassaw Sound, Georgia, on 19 October, after the man attempted to unground his vessel and made contact with the propeller. The MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew transferred the man to Savannah Memorial for further medical care.

Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders received a notification at 1:55 p.m., from Chatham County Marine Patrol officers, requesting air support to transfer the man. “The urgency of the mission was a fantastic example of our ability to execute in the time of need,” said Lt. Hunter Shortly, Air Station Savannah.

“Every member knew their roles and was able to perform above and beyond to facilitate a lifesaving medevac. I am extremely proud and grateful for all the hard work that came from Air Station Savannah,” he added.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources investigated the incident, and commercial salvage was working to clear the vessel.

Two People Rescued from Sinking Boat

10/19/24 – St Johns Co., FL

Two people were rescued from the St. Johns River, in Florida, after their boat began to sink near the Shands Bridge on the afternoon of 19 October, according to St. Johns County Fire Rescue (SJFR).

SJFR officials reported that units from the West Battalion and Marine Rescue Division had responded to a distress call about a vessel in trouble approximately one mile north of the bridge.

Upon arrival, rescue crews found the two passengers in the water, pulled away from their sinking boat by the river’s strong current. Firefighters quickly brought both individuals to safety, and they were returned to shore without injuries.

Officials confirmed the boat was being recovered by a private company.

One Injured in Boat Explosion in Old Saybrook

10/18/24 – Old Saybrook, CT

Crews responded to reports of a boat explosion on the morning of 18 October at Harbor One Marina on Bridge Street in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.

One person was taken to a hospital with serious injuries but was expected to survive, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Officials Say Explosion Occurred While Refueling

The 38-foot cabin cruiser exploded while topping off its 300-gallon tank with 120 gallons of fuel, according to DEEP, and the boat’s owner was knocked into the water. He was able to swim to a bystander, who pulled him out of the water.

As of about noon, the boat was half submerged and there was an active fuel leak in the water. The spill was being contained with a sorbent boom.

Dave Clift was working on his boat when he heard the explosion and saw black smoke fill the sky. “My heart was beating for quite a while afterwards, just ‘cause of the out-of-nowhere explosion behind me,” he said.

The dock received minimal damage. No other boats were affected. Further information was not immediately available.