BOSTON — Multiple agencies responded Wednesday to a good samaritan report of a empty dinghy with personal effects found afloat near Allen Harbor. A cooperative search resulted in locating both missing persons.
At 3:39 p.m. Wednesday, the owner of a 28-foot center console reported to the Chatham Harbor Master, over VHF, their discovery of an empty inflatable motorized boat with personal effects south of Allen Harbor. Other local harbor masters and the Coast Guard were also monitoring this channel and each agency coordinated efforts for their search for a possible person in the water.
Coast Guard Station Chatham launched a 42-foot rescue boat and the crew arrived on scene at about 4:42 p.m. The Coast Guard began to preform a systematic search pattern in the vicinity where the empty boat was located with its motor still running. Simultaneously, the Harwich Harbor Master collected the found vessel and began to disseminate clues to other agencies to aid in the search for its owner.
Concurrently, the sailing vessel, Eva Marie, spotted a woman in the water and brought her aboard out of the 72-degree water near Harwich. She was then transferred to the Chatham Harbor Master vessel and brought to Saquatucket Harbor at about 5:15 p.m. where Harwich Fire Department EMS met her and treated her for fatigue and mild hypothermia. She was also reunited with her companion who was located by Harwich police after he swam over a mile to shore to look for help following their fall into the water and loss of their vessel.
“Local harbor masters and the Coast Guard have always had an extremely close working relationship and when a crisis like this occurs our history pays large dividends, resulting in a seamless execution of the case,” explained Stewart Smith, the Chatham Harbor Master. “We train together and share a history as professional mariners.”
Smith also credits the boating community in Cape Cod with being seasoned and watchful of other boaters that may be in distress.
Agencies that assisted in the search include:
- Chatham Harbor Master
- Coast Guard Station Chatham
- Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod
- Coast Guard Sector Southeastern Command Center
- Harwich Harbor Master
- Harwich Police Department
- Harwich Fire Department EMS
- Yarmouth Harbor Master
"The interagency teamwork that we have on The Cape is fantastic," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Butler, Station Chatham logistics coordinator. "Cases like this really demonstrate how important it is to have a good working relationship with our local agencies; it's crucial to maintaining the safety of the boating public."
The Coast Guard reminds all boaters and paddlers that even during routine trips, it is important to prepare for the worst case scenario, as conditions can change rapidly in New England. Learn more about boating safety here.