Stamford Man Falls Overboard, Rescued By Greenwich Marine Police

GREENWICH CT — A Stamford man who fell overboard while fishing on Long Island Sound was rescued by Greenwich Marine Police on Saturday. According to Lieutenant John Slusarz, officers received a call that day about a person in distress in the water near Calf Island.

Officers subsequently located the man in the water, along with a passing boater who was attempting to keep the man afloat, Slusarz said. Officers removed the man from the water and transported him to shore. He was then taken to a hospital.

Slusarz said the man's condition was "starting to improve" as of late Saturday.

Officers determined the man fell overboard while fishing and was discovered by passing boaters after "an extended period of time" treading water, Slusarz said. His boat was taken away by the wind and current but was later located near Port Chester, N.Y.

"Each year hundreds of lives are lost, thousands are injured, and millions of dollars of property damage occurs because of preventable recreational boating accidents on U.S. waterways," Slusarz said in an email. "The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of over 80 percent of boating fatality victims. Accidents can, and do happen with terrifying speed on the water. There's rarely time to reach stowed life jackets."