2 Rescued From Sinking Boat Off Sheffield Island: Police

NORWALK, CT — A pair of boaters were rescued by members of the Norwalk Marine Police Wednesday morning after the boat they were in ran aground and began sinking near Sheffield Island, according to police.

No injuries were reported in the rescue from the 40-foot motor yacht, which had struck a submerged rock.

"This morning at around 8 AM the NPD Marine Unit was called to Great Reef off of Sheffield Island for a boat taking on water with two people on board," Norwalk Police Lt. Jared Zwickler told Patch in an email. "Sgt. Pete Lapak and Ofc. Mike Silva responded along with Norwalk Fire Department and the [U.S. Coast Guard]. With 5-6 foot swells NPD officers were able to pull two people off of the boat just as it sank."

Prior to authorities pulling the two off the vessel and bringing them to shore, boaters from two other private vessels reportedly had tried to assist the distressed boat but could not get close enough due to shallow water, writes the Norwalk Hour.