Dog Dies After Kayak Capsizes In Boston Harbor

BOSTON — Boston police this weekend rescued two kayakers clinging to a buoy in Boston Harbor after a kayak trip went south — all thanks to a bystander on shore who happened to look through binoculars at just the right time. The kayakers' dog, which was with them, died during the ordeal, according to police.

Around 6:15 p.m. Saturday, a Good Samaritan touring the JFK Library happened to look through a pair of binoculars in just the right direction and saw the two men clinging to the buoy, appearing to be in distress. The buoy was out about a half-mile from shore by Thompson Island. The Good Samaritan then called police.

The Boston Police Department's Harbor Unit launched a boat and officers were able to get close enough to rescue the two men and the dog from the buoy despite strong winds and frigid temperatures, police said. The men, suffering from severe hypothermia, were transported to shore, where they were met by Boston first responders taken to a local area hospital, police said. The dog later died.

The men told police they launched their kayak from Carson Beach in South Boston and paddled out into Dorchester Bay when strong winds and choppy seas became overwhelming. As they turned to head back, the kayak took on water, capsized and sank — forcing the men into the frigid 40-degree water. They were able to swim to and then climb on top of a harbor buoy, where they spent more than an hour waiting for help to arrive.

This is a map of Boston Harbor, with Thompson Island in the center in green. Saturday's rescue happened just off the island about 2,000 feet from shore: