STRATFORD -- Two firefighters training Monday in the Fire Department's rescue boat helped avert a real-life emergency when they unexpectedly had to rescue two fisherman whose boat capsized at the mouth of the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound.
Assistant Fire Chief Ellen Howley said the rescue helped save the lives of the two Watertown men, 33 and 57 years old, who were rapidly being carried out into the Sound when their boat sank about 3 p.m.
"I have no doubt they would have been in serious trouble had our training boat not just happened to be near them when their boat capsized," Howley said. "Our training crew was luckily in the right place at the right time."
Firefighters William Hines, a seven-year department veteran, and rookie Tricia Regan, who joined in February and is still on probation, were training in the department's 15 foot inflatable hull, known as the "Zodiac," when they watched the small motorboat get swamped, they said.
"It appeared the sudden winds and waves had overtaken the boat and the two fishermen were in the water holding onto floatation devices," Hines said. "It could have been a very serious situation for them if we weren't there because the tide was taking them out fast, and there were no other boats in sight." He said the tide was moving "so quickly and we had to go rapidly after them for about 10 minutes" before plucking them out of the water.
While the boat "sunk immediately," Hines said, the fishermen showed true dedication to their hobby.
"They appeared to have had quite a good day with a lot of fish in their bucket," Hines said. "They managed to hold onto the bucket when we got them out of the water."
Howley said the two men were upset about losing the 30-year-old boat -- owned by the older man -- but were "obviously very relieved to have been rescued and expressed deep gratitude to the department."
The men's names were not released by fire officials.
The incident took place just off Milford Point, officials said. Both men declined medical attention, and told firefighters they were "headed home to at least get something out of the day and have a big fish dinner," Hines said.
Republished with permission from The Connecticut Post
