Waterford and East Lyme Police Called To Aid Sinking Boat

The Waterford-East Lyme Regional Police Boat helped rescue a number of people from a sinking pleasure boat on Saturday afternoon.  

Waterford Police report that East Lyme Police Sergeant Levandowski and Waterford Lieutenant Burton arrived in the regional police boat to find that a number of passing boaters had stopped to help and managed to offload eight people from the sinking pleasure boat. The rescued boaters then were taken onto the police boat and brought to shore. There were no reported injuries. 

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, which also responded to the distress call, the 65-foot vessel began to sink after it struck Little Goshen Reef. As of Saturday evening, the vessel was floating on its side and was fairly well submerged and awaiting salvage. Although Coast Guard initially described it as a commercial vessel, subsequent reporting suggests it is privately owned.

The U.S. Coast Guard has been sending out safety marine information broadcasts warning other vessels to steer clear. The boat is well away from the marked channels. 

The salvage operation will be conducted by a commercial salvage and towing company today. Typically, such a salvage operation involves using air bags to help right the vessel and pumps to empty out as much water as possible. Then the boat will be towed. The U.S. Coast Guard will continue to monitor the situation.