Water Search Suspended For Prudence Island Woman

PORTSMOUTH, RI — Rescuers suspended the search for a 39-year-old woman who fell off the Prudence Island ferry Monday night. The U.S. Coast Guard called off the search Tuesday after more than 10 hours of searching.

According to Portsmouth police, the woman, a Prudence Island resident, fell into the water around 6:30 p.m. The ferry left Bristol at 5:45 p.m., headed to Prudence Island. The U.S. Coast Guard, Portsmouth and Bristol police conducted the water search, which was difficult due to high winds and rough seas.

Crews were called in from the Coast Guard stations in Castle Hill and Cape Cod, along with the Narragansett Bay Marine Task Force, to assist in the search. Around 10:40 p.m., a Coast Guard cutter arrived to continue to search overnight. The other crews returned at first light.

Witnesses from the ferry told Portsmouth police that the woman was alone on the deck of the ferry before she fell, and that she climbed up onto the rail.