Greenport Fisherman Helps Rescue Tugboat Crew

Greenport fisherman Sid Smith and his crewmen, Gary Detrick also of Greenport and Ernie Nicholson of Newport, Rhode Island, helped to rescue a sinking tugboat near Port Judith, Rhode Island last night.

According to Smith, at around 6:30 p.m. last night, after chain on the net reel of his boat broke, he heard a ”guy call out” for help.

The “guy” was part of a tugboat that was sinking near the coast of Port Judith.

By the time Smith’s vessel got to the tugboat, it was already rolled on its side and sinking fast.

“I knew it wasn’t going to make,” he said.

The 40-50 mile winds didn’t make it easy, but after about 45 minutes, Smith and his crew managed to get the four men from the tugboat to the fishing vessel and take them to shore.

“It was horrendous out,” Smith said. “I would not be out there in that type of weather.”

It was too rough to go back to Newport, but they all managed to make it back to Port Judith.

“I’m just relieved it’s over, it was a tough call,” Smith said. “I just hope if I’m in that situation, somebody comes for me.”

None of the crew members from the tugboat or Smith’s vessel were injured.

“We’re all lucky,” Smith said.