Woman Overboard -- Boater Saved in Greenwich Waters

It was about 3:30 p.m. Sunday when the Greenwich Public Safety dispatch center received a 911 from a distressed boater.

The caller said that as he was piloting his boat on the Long Island Sound his passenger had fallen overboard and was now missing at sea. As the Greenwich Marine Section responded to the call, it was learned that the passenger had been picked up by a passing paddle boarder. The overboard passenger was unharmed and brought to Greenwich’s Island Beach.

Greenwich Police said that their preliminary investigation revealed:

Both the boat’s captain and passenger are Stamford residents who dock their boat in Greenwich. Earlier (Sunday) they had been out on the Long Island Sound enjoying the day within Greenwich waters. As they began to make for Stamford Harbor for dinner, they were in separate parts of the boat. The boat’s captain was operating the vessel from the flybridge, and the passenger was near the stern. The passenger, a 50 + year old female who was not wearing her Personal Flotation Device (PFD), and was tidying up their gear. The passenger related that when their boat hit a large wake she lost her footing and fell overboard.

The boat’s captain never noticed his companion going over and continued into the area of Todds Point when he realized that his companion was no longer on the vessel.

The overboard passenger believes that she was in the water for approximately 20-30 minutes before her rescue. Upon examination by GEMS personnel, the victim although exhausted refused any medical treatment.

GPD Marine Officers conducted a safety inspection and found the vessel and captain in complete compliance.

Sunday’s incident is the latest of marine rescues of an overboard passenger in Greenwich.

On July 20, Greenwich Marine Police Officers rescued a capsized kayaker who wisely was wearing her (PFD) at the time of her capsizing. In this instance, the victim failed to have her Personal Flotation Device on and with a slightly different set of circumstance this oversight could have proven fatal.

Connecticut marine law requires that person(s) 13 years of age or younger must wear a PFD at all times, for those over 13 there is no such requirement merely that a PFD be readily accessible for all boaters. However routinely wearing a PFD is an excellent practice.

Before engaging in any activities on the water take a Coast Guard Approved Safe Boating Course and always wear your Life Vest.

You can find more information on the DEEP website: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp…

Photo: Greenwich Marine Police. Credit: Barbara Heins.