Sea Tow Captain’s Daughter Aids in Jetboat Rescue
The jetboat when it arrived in Old Saybrook. Photo courtesy Sea Tow Central Connecticut
Capt. Tom Kellenbach of Sea Tow Central Connecticut had just returned from a golf tournament on Sunday, May 20, when his 10-year-old daughter, Ally, greeted him with the following message:
The Hero, Ally Kellenbach, photo courtesy Sea Tow Central Connecticut.
“Daddy, there is a boat calling ‘Sea Tow, Coast Guard: Help. We are sinking near the bridge in the river,” and no one answered him.
Ally had heard a VHF transmission from the owner of an 18’ jetboat, which was taking on water just south of the Baldwin Bridge between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, less than a half-mile from Kellenbach’s house. The Kellenbach and his assistance Jay Rankin raced to the scene, where they dewatered the jetboat and towed the vessel and its 4 crewmembers to the Old Saybrook launch ramp. There were no injuries.
It was later determined that the rubber boot around the starboard jetdrive had let go, allowing water to enter the bilge.
Watch a video of the rescue here:
Heading to the boat.
On the scene and in tow.
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About the Author
Tom Richardson is the co-director and host of BoatingLocal. Before that he served as the editor of Northeast Boating from 2005 to 2009, and as managing editor of Salt Water Sportsman magazine from 1995 to 2004. He lives, boats and fishes in southeastern Massachusetts with his wife and three kids.
