Groton Officers Lauded For Rescuing 2 Distressed Boaters

GROTON, CT — Town of Groton police rescued two boaters in distress on the Fishers Island Sound over the weekend, according to a statement.

Officers Shawn Paradis and Matthew Monaghan were conducting a routine patrol on the Mystic River on Marine One on Saturday at about 1:30 p.m. They received a distress call from a sailboat located east of Middle Clump, in the area of Fishers Island, New York.

Officers located a 30-foot Catalina sloop sailboat on the Fishers Island Sound that was in danger of striking exposed rocks on Fishers Island. The vessel had lost the rigging supporting its spinnaker sail.

Officer Paradis jumped onto the deck of the sailboat and assisted a Guilford man and woman onboard with gaining control of the spinnaker sail. Officers helped to secure the spinnaker sail and stowed it away below deck.

No one was injured. Those aboard continued on to Fishers Island.

"I applaud Officers Paradis and Monaghan for their quick thinking and teamwork to ensure those on board remained safe," Chief L. J. Fusaro said in a statement. "Their ability to problem-solve under pressure prevented a potential tragedy. We urge boaters to always ensure that their equipment is functioning properly and to check local weather and water conditions before hitting the water or adding supplementary sails."