NEW YORK – Coast Guard crewmembers responded to a collision between two vessels near Watch Hill, Rhode Island, Tuesday, that resulted in the capsizing of one boat and the death of one mariner. At 10:18 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center received a call reporting a vessel collision in Fishers Island Sound in which a 60-foot Viking yacht reportedly ran over a 25-foot Parker vessel, capsizing it. Coast Guard Station New London diverted rescue crews aboard two 45-foot Response Boat-Medium vessels to the scene.A good Samaritan maintained positive control of the mariner from the capsized vessel in the water until the Station New London crews arrived on scene at 10:46 a.m. With a paramedic from Watch Hill Fire Department aboard, the rescue crew recovered the unresponsive mariner from the capsized vessel.The subject was taken to Stonington Town dock and transferred to a local Emergency Medical Service. The capsized vessel was towed to Dodson’s Marina in Stonington, Connecticut.Rescue crews included personnel from:
- Coast Guard Station New London
- Westerly Fire Department
- New York State Police Marine Unit from Fisher's Island
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
The name and information of the deceased mariner will not be released until next of kin notifications have been made.
The cause of the accident is currently under investigation by Rhode Island environmental police.