Man rescued from Hudson after sailboat capsizes

A boater was rescued from stormy waters on the Hudson River on Thursday after his sailboat capsized, according to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office.

A 44-year-old man from Poughkeepsie, whose name was not released, was sailing on the Hudson early Thursday evening when a line of powerful thunderstorms with heavy winds whipped up moderate-sized waves, authorities said. The sailor’s boat overturned, but he was able to climb on top of the boat and call for help, they added.

Dutchess 911 got the call at about 6 p.m. It activated the River Response Plan, which mobilized the Roosevelt Fire Department, Mobile Life Support Services, Hyde Park Police and rescue boats from the New Hamburg Fire Department and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office.

Despite the adverse conditions, according to the Sheriff’s Office, Hyde Park residents Jeff Ledoux and Thomas Sanford launched a small boat to rescue the man. When they arrived on scene, Ledoux and Sanford took the man onto their boat and they secured a line to the capsized sailboat.

When the sheriff’s boat arrived on scene, the man was transferred onto that vessel and was evaluated for injuries. He was transported to the dock at Hyde Park Marina and found to be uninjured.

The sheriff’s boat returned to the scene and towed the sailboat to Hyde Park Marina. First responders and citizens assisted with righting the sailboat.

All boaters are encouraged to stay with their boat or watercraft if it capsizes. Attempting to swim to shore is strongly discouraged due to the currents in the Hudson River, authorities said. In addition, it is much easier for first responders to locate a vessel, as compared to a person in the water. Boaters are also encouraged to always wear a personal flotation device.