Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Rescue Five Teenagers from Sinking Sailboat

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Chief Todd Fitzgerald is pleased to report that the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department rescued five teenagers from a sinking sailboat in the harbor.

On Thursday, July 17, at approximately 3 p.m., Sgt. Richard Newton was on routine marine patrol on the harbor in MPD Public Safety Vessel 999, when he noticed a small sailboat in an unusual area.

When Sgt. Newton investigated further, he realized the sailboat was occupied by five boys in their early teens, and that the sailboat was sitting low in the water.

Sgt. Newton immediately got four of the teens onto the MPD Public Safety Vessel. The fifth teen stayed aboard the sailboat to assist efforts by MPD and the Manchester-by-the-Sea Harbormaster to tow the boat back to shore.

The sailboat partially sank during towing, so the fifth teen was eventually taken aboard the MPD Public Safety Vessel as well.

Manchester-by-the-Sea Police and the Harbormaster teamed up to successfully tow the boat back to shore even though it partially sank, and the boat was able to be raised again as water was pumped out.

There were no reported injuries.

Sgt. Newton was on patrol as part of the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department’s commitment to 40 hours of marine patrol during the summer months.

“This incident provides a reminder that anything can happen out on the water, even right here in our harbor,” said Chief Fitzgerald. “Both Manchester-by-the-Sea Police and the Harbormaster are on patrol and available to help, but we encourage all boaters to always double check their boats and to ensure they have proper safety equipment before getting underway.”

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