Gales Ferry Boater Rescue At Eastern Point Beach

Groton City firefighters rescued a 61-year-old Gales Ferry man from the water Tuesday after his boat lost its engine and began drifting toward the rocks at Eastern Point Beach.

Acting Fire Captain Ray Hart said an emergency call came in at about 8 p.m. about a boater in distress. Hart said the boater was drifting, came within about 50 feet of the rocks and called for help from his cell phone.

The original plan was to have the Coast Guard approach the boat with a smaller craft and take the boater to safety. But Hart said the Coast Guard determined  determined it was too unsafe. Winds were blowing 30 miles an hour, and waves crashing three feet over the rocks, he said.

Instead, three firefighters put on water rescue suits and extended a life line about 85 feet from the shore to the boat. The boater then tied the line around himself, got into the water and firefighters pulled him to safety, Hart said.

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“He was in the water less than one minute,” Hart said. The man was evaluated by medical crews at the scene and warmed up after the rescue. He did not need to be taken to the hospital.

“I’m extremely proud of the firefighters that were on scene,” Hart said. “The firefighters that put the wet suits on did a terrific job.”

Groton City Police also responded and Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department provided mutual aid.