Sinking Sailboat Saved by Coast Guard, Local Firefighters, off Sakonnet Point

LITTLE COMPTON, RI—The U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities helped save a sailboat from sinking and rescued one injured crew member in the waters off Sakonnet Point on Wednesday.

The Coast Guard responded to an area three miles south of Sakonnet Point after getting a distress call on a VHF channel at around 9:15 a.m. from the sailboat Rhapsody.

The crew reported that the boat was taking on water with four people on board, one of whom was injured.

The Coast Guard launched a 45-foot boat crew from Station Castle Hill in Newport, joined by members of the Narragansett Bay Marine Task Force.

Upon arrival, crews found the boat had four dewatering pumps running and the Coast Guard added another to keep up with the flooding. Members of the Little Compton Fire Department arrived soon after and went aboard Rhapsody to treat the injured crew member who was later transferred ashore.

The Coast Guard, Little Compton firefighters and a commercial towing company escorted Rhapsody back to Sakonnet Harbor and the vessel was moored safely "and the flooding was secured," the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The incident occurred as the National Weather Service has a small craft advisory in effect until 2 p.m. Thursday warning of strong winds and high seas up to 6 feet.

The injured crew member suffered a hand wound and was transported to a nearby hospital by the Westport Fire Department, according to Little Compton firefighters.

Members of the Bristol Fire Department provided mutual aid coverage as Tiverton crews dealt with the matter out at sea.