BOSTON – The Coast Guard was alerted to a sailboat taking on water Wednesday, three miles south of Sakonnet Point, Rhode Island.
At about 9:15 a.m., Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England received a distress call on VHF Channel 16 from the sailboat Rhapsody, reporting it was taking on water with four people aboard, and one was injured.
A 45-foot boat crew from Station Castle Hill and crews from the Narragansett Bay Marine Task Force launched to assist.
When the 45-foot boat crew arrived on scene, the sailboat had four dewatering pumps running and the Coast Guard boat crew provided another to keep up with the flooding. The Little Compton Fire Department vessel arrived on scene and an Emergency Medical Technician went aboard the sailing vessel to provide medical assistance to the injured crew member.
The 45-foot boat crew, Little Compton Fire Department and a commercial towing company escorted the Rhapsody back to Sakonnet Harbor.
Local Emergency Medical Services was waiting when the vessel arrived, and the injured passenger was transferred ashore.
The sailing vessel moored safely, and the flooding was secured.
The National Weather Service currently has a small craft advisory in effect until 2 p.m., Thursday warning of strong winds, 10-20 knots, and high seas, 3-6 feet.