New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“This weekend’s small craft advisories were not to be ignored by any means and it created numerous vessel in distress calls from Dartmouth to Wareham.
In addition to Wareham and Onset Fire responding to the vessel in distress with people in the water off of Dartmouth, Wareham had two additional vessels in distress. The first being a sailboat that had sail and mechanical issues as well as an anchor that was not holding. The forceful bay conditions pushed the 27’ sailboat up on to Little Harbor Beach. Thankfully the parties onboard were safe and no one was injured.
At approximately 5pm the second incident in Wareham was reported to Wareham Police Communications. WDNR and Wareham Fire were dispatched to an overturned sunfish that was struggling in the conditions off of Stony Point Dike with one person in the water. Boat crews from WDNR and WFD were met with unfavorable sea conditions while responding to the area.
In addition, the Buzzards Bay Task Force was activated and emergency response vessels from the Town of Marion were dispatched to assist us as well as a crew from Towboat US Cape Cod. With the quick help of Wareham Police Communications they were able to locate the victim through the 911 call and provided responding crews with a very accurate location of the victim.
Wareham Fire Boat M-4, was first on scene and removed the victim that had been in the water for approximately 45 minutes. The victim was transported and checked by awaiting EMS personnel. Due to sea conditions and not being a navigation hazard the 12’ sunfish was not recovered and allowed to drift into shore.
We are beyond grateful for the safe outcome of these emergencies but it could have easily turned into much more tragic events and risked the lives of many responders. We would like to remind people to please pay attention to the forecast, respect the small craft advisories, and Mother Natures wrath should never be dismissed.”-Wareham Department of Natural Resources.
