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Connecticut Officers Rescue Boaters in Distress

At approximately 1:30 p.m., Officer Shawn Paradis and Officer Matthew Monaghan were on patrol on the Mystic River on “Marine One”—the Groton PD’s patrol boat—when they received a distress call from a sailboat in the area of Fishers Island, New York.

by Staff
June 19, 2024
Connecticut Officers Rescue Boaters in Distress

Groton, Connecticut, Police officers used their patrol boat--Marine One--to rescue boaters in distress Saturday.

Credit:

Town of Groton Connecticut

2 min to read



Two Groton, Connecticut, Police officers came to the rescue of boaters in Fisher Island Sound Saturday June 15.

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The boaters were in distress as their disabled 30-foot sailboat was about to hit the rocks.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., Officer Shawn Paradis and Officer Matthew Monaghan were on patrol on the Mystic River on “Marine One”—the Groton PD’s patrol boat—when they received a distress call from a sailboat in the area of Fishers Island, New York.

The officers located the 30-foot Catalina sloop sailboat and found that it had lost the rigging supporting its spinnaker sail.

“Officer Paradis jumped onto the deck of the sailboat and assisted a Guilford man and woman onboard with gaining control of the spinnaker sail. Officers helped to secure the spinnaker sail and stowed it away below deck,” the Groton PD said in a press release.

The sailboat was then able to get under way and the boaters continued to Fishers Island. No one was injured in the incident.

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“I applaud Officers Paradis and Monaghan for their quick thinking and teamwork to ensure those on board remained safe,” said Chief L. J. Fusaro Jr. “Their ability to problem-solve under pressure prevented a potential tragedy. We urge boaters to always ensure that their equipment is functioning properly and to check local weather and water conditions before hitting the water or adding supplementary sails.”



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