WELLFLEET – Three people and a dog are safe after their vessel capsized off Wellfleet. The call came in about Noon off Chequessett Bluff Road. Two people and the canine were plucked from the overturned boat by a Wellfleet Fire rescue boat. The third victim started swimming towards shore but was also quickly rescued by the fire boat. All three were evaluated for possible hypothermia when they arrived in Wellfleet Harbor.
In a press release, Wellfleet Fire Chief Richard Pauley confirms to Cape Wide News that three local residence and a dog were rescued about two miles off Wellfleet Harbor Sunday afternoon when their 19 foot sailboat capsized.
Chief Pauley says about 12:01 PM, the Wellfleet Police and Fire Departments were notified of a capsized vessel as seen off of 45 Chequessett Bluff Road. The Wellfleet Harbormaster and U.S. Coast Guard were also notified and requested to respond. Wellfleet Fire personnel responded to the Town Pier with Ambulance 97 and Marine Unit 92 arriving at 12:13 PM and made contact with Harbormaster Will Sullivan. The Harbormaster launched his boat with two fire-rescue personnel on board.
The capsized vessel was located approximately 15 minutes later with two individuals and a dog on its hull. A third individual who was attempting to swim to shore for help was found shortly after. Seas were reported to be choppy with notable ocean wind gusts. All occupants of the boat were returned to the Harbormaster’s Office and and evaluated by rescue personnel for hypothermia and declined further treatment. All rescue units cleared the scene at approximately 1:29 PM. It is believed the occupants were stranded for about 45 minutes prior to being rescued.
Chief Pauley and Harbormaster Sullivan noted that the outcome of this incident could have been much different given the factors of the ocean water temperatures and choppy seas. Both Pauley and Sullivan would like to remind all boaters to be cognizant of the weather conditions particularly this time of year and strongly recommend that boaters have the appropriate communications equipment (waterproof marine grade radio) for emergency situations.
