Firefighters, Coast Guard kept busy with afternoon of water rescues

Stonington — Firefighters from several Westerly and Stonington fire departments along with the Coast Guard responded in boats to multiple water rescues in the area of Sandy Point, a long narrow island in Little Naragansett Bay, Sunday afternoon.

The incidents involved an overturned kayaker and a wind surfer in distress off the west side of the island, and a jet ski accident with two victims off the north side. Firefighters had to fight windy conditions, shallow water and frigid water temperatures as they tried to land on the island to attend to the victims.

The Watch Hill Fire Department received three calls within about 15 minutes of one another. The first, at 2:26 p.m., was for the jet ski accident. While en route, another call, made at 2:37 p.m., came in for an overturned kayaker, and a couple minutes later the third call for the windsurfer in distress.

Watch Hill Chief Robert Peacock said his department requested mutual aid from Mystic Fire, Westerly Fire, Pawcatuck Fire and the Coast Guard.

Peacock said that when his firefighters arrived they found that both victims of the jet ski accident had minor injuries, were suffering from hypothermia and had made it to the beach at Sandy Point. His department then requested the Westerly and Pawcatuck fire departments launch their small rescue boats to assist.

Responders got both of the jet ski victims on Watch Hill’s 25-foot boat and transported them to Watch Hill Harbor, where they were evaluated by two crews from Westerly Ambulance and then transported to Westerly Hospital.

The two victims, both men in their 20s, were sharing a jet ski.

“The conditions were very windy, there were rough seas today, and I believe they said they were jumping waves,” Peacock said. “They came down hard and were separated from the jet ski. They managed to make it to Sandy Point. The Coast Guard was making arrangements to deal with the jet ski, which is currently floating in the middle of Naragansett Bay.”

The kayaker was able to right himself, and the windsurfer made it to Sandy Point. Both were contacted, and they said they were not in distress and did not need further assistance. Peacock said people calling from shore to report incidents such as these can’t tell how serious the situation is.

“I don’t believe they were ever really in distress, but I’m sure it’s unnerving when you’re watching from Stonington and you see a kayaker overturned,” Peacock said.