Three Boats from Saugatuck Rowing Club Capsize on Long Island Sound
18 teenagers and one adult coach from Saugatuck Rowing Club were plunged into the cold waters of Long Island Sound Thursday afternoon after fast changing weather caused their boats to capsize, the Associated Press is reporting. With the help of first responders from the Westport police and fire departments, along with the Coast Guard, everyone involved made it to shore safely, while two people were later brought to the hospital with suspected hypothermia.
Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas said in a press conference that two eights capsized in the rough water. He explained that the rowers then tried to get on the coach launch, causing that boat to capsize and sending another person into the water, police said. First responders rescued many of the people involved, while others were able to swim ashore. The water temperature was just 44 degrees and some were in the water for as long as 50 minutes, according to police.
“This was a very serious incident with an incredibly good outcome,” Koskinas said.
One member of the crew, sixteen-year old Davis Evans, said in an interview with local media, “It was really scary. I’m still kinda shaken up.” Evans, who was able to call 911 from the water, continued, “It was really glassy water. It was really clean and then really right as we spun, it just, it got windy and the waves were just crashing into our boat and it was just filling up with water. It was really scary.”
Saugatuck Rowing Club released a statement to CBS News New York thanking emergency responders and vowing to review the incident. “As with any outdoor sport, rowing inherently involves certain risks, and our club takes comprehensive measures to prioritize safety. However, despite thorough planning and adherence to safety protocols, unexpected weather changes can occur, as was the case in this instance. We are currently conducting a review of the incident to understand the circumstances fully and to identify any areas where our safety procedures can be further strengthened.”
As Rowing News reported earlier this week, the best safety advice dictates that everyone should stay with a boat that has capsized. USRowing Safety Guidelines reinforce this, explaining that shells, both new and old, have sealed flotation compartments that will keep the boat afloat.
The USRowing Safety Video is available online and should be reviewed at least annually by everyone involved with rowing programs.
Further reading from the Rowing News Safety Issue
- Clear and Present Dangers
- Never Swim to Shore, and Other Safety Rules
- The Rowing News Interview: Tom Rooks
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