May 28--A shivering but grateful 39-year-old Nantucket man was pulled off of a lobster buoy Sunday night after he was trapped by rising water while fishing, first responders said.
Police Lt. Jerry Adams said cops were called at about 9:24 p.m. by the stranded man, who told a police dispatcher his general location in Polpis Harbor. Another first responder said fortunately the man had a waterproof case for his cellphone.
The man was able to stay on the phone while he clung to the buoy and guide police dispatchers, who gave constant updates about his location to firefighters and the harbor master.
Adams said it was not clear how the man ended up stuck 200 yards from shore, but the man was stuck there for about an hour as rescue crews hunted for him.
Police said a firefighter paddled out to the man, who was loaded onto a rescue board.
Harbor Master Sheila Lucey then picked up the firefighter and the victim in her patrol boat and transported them to Children's Beach, where an ambulance was waiting to take the man to Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
Police identified the man as Justin Bell of Nantucket. He was hospitalized as a precaution, but police said he had no serious injuries. Efforts to reach Bell for comment were unsuccessful.
Copyright 2013 - Boston Herald
