Barnstable Sheriff’s Office corrals runaway boat 7/20/18 from Cape Wide News LLC on Vimeo.
BOURNE – At about 4:10 Thursday afternoon, Deputy Shawn Pollard, skipper of the Barnstable County Sheriff Office’s emergency response boat, received a dispatched “9-1-1” call from the Sheriff’s emergency communications center.
Two juveniles (boat operator and spotter) had been tossed from their boat and were now floundering in the water – along with two companions who had been water-tubing behind the towing boat. The vessel was now careening in dangerous circles.
Pollard and maritime unit Sgt. Peter Benson immediately headed from the boat mooring in Falmouth Harbor to the distress call location. Arriving about eight minutes later to the east entrance of Waquoit Harbor, Pollard and Benson came upon the Mashpee harbormaster. He reported the two youngsters who had been water tubing were pulled from the water and were now okay.
In an additional three or four minutes, the two officers came to the runaway boat, a Carolina Skift still gyrating wildly and posing an obvious hazard. Pollard was able to maneuver the vessel reasonably alongside and on a second pass Benson was able to nimbly hop aboard and power it down [as seen in video].
Injuries were a possibly sprained finger suffered by one of the four in the water, that and some badly frayed nerves. Otherwise, all fine. “Great work by Sean and Peter,” says Sheriff James Cummings, “but we’ve come to expect that.” Pollard is a Coast Guard veteran of almost 20 years and Benson recently made sergeant.
In addition to the assistance of the Mashpee harbormaster, the Coast Guard, Falmouth Fire & Rescue, and Falmouth Police also helped at the scene and with reassurance and comfort to the foursome once safely ashore at the Waquoit Yacht Club.
Media release and video furnished by Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office
