Tuesday, March 12th, 2019

On March 12, 2019, at approximately 8:09 AM, the Wellfleet Fire Department and Harbormaster were dispatched to a report of an overturned boat with two (2) people in distress in Wellfleet Harbor, in the area of Jeremy’s Point. The Wellfleet Fire Department responded with a chief officer, marine unit and ambulance. The Wellfleet Harbormaster was able to respond immediately, launching one marine unit with two Firefighter/Paramedics also on board.

In addition, the Coast Guard was notified and requested to assist as well as a marine unit from the Eastham Fire Department. Additional reports confirmed an overturned fishing vessel with the two (2) fishermen hanging on to the hull of the boat, with, the victims believed to be in the water for up to thirty (30) minutes
.
Wellfleet Fire and Harbormaster rescue crews arrived at the location of the sunken vessel, determined to be in the outer harbor at approximately 8:27 AM and were able to take the two (2) victims on the Harbormaster's vessel. The victims were both conscious and alert, but, suffering from hypothermia. The victims were rapidly transported to two (2) paramedic staffed ambulances that were staged at the Town Pier, at approximately 8:35 AM, with both patients transported to Cape Cod Hospital for treatment and evaluation.

All units cleared the scene at approximately 8:55 AM. Assisting in this rescue were Wellfleet Police, Eastham Fire, Orleans Fire, the Eastham Natural Resources Department and the U.S. Coast Guard.