Sea Tow Rescues 2 in Cape Cod Bay

Photo/Sea Tow South Shore

Capt. Ethan Maass of Sea Tow South Shore (Massachusetts) was involved in a rescue in Cape Cod Bay on Friday, June 29. He files this report:

At 5:30 p.m. I received a call from Sea Tow dispatch for 28′ Sea Pro center console disabled in Cape Cod Bay. I spoke with the people on boat and collected their position and boat info.

Photo/Sea Tow South Shore

The run from my patrol location in Scituate Harbor to the disabled boat was 23 miles, and took about an hour. Upon arriving at the position given, there was no boat in sight.

Thinking that the boat must have drifted away, I ran along a line in the direction of the wind and seas. Shortly, I noticed sunlight glinting off an unusual object in the distance, so I steered toward it.

When I got closer, I saw that it was the boat, overturned, with 2 men sitting on the hull. Seas were 2’ to 3′ and waves were washing over them from time to time. They were not wearing shirts or PFDs.

I took them onboard my boat and gave them sweatshirts and lifejackets. (I’m not sure how I came to have 2 sweatshirts onboard on a 90-degree day, but the men were glad I did.)

Photo/Sea Tow South Shore

I notified the Coast Guard of the situation, and they dispatched a 47′ MLB from Station Provincetown. It took them about 30 minutes to reach our position. In that time, we attempted to right the boat, but weren’t able to because of the rough seas.

I transferred the 2 men to the Coast Guard vessel for a ride to Provincetown. The Coast Guard marked the boat with one of my fender balls and a strobe light. If conditions allow, the vessel’s owner is hoping that we can recover the boat—if we can find it.

No word on what caused the boat to capsize.

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