A family of three was rescued by the US Coast Guard off Cape Cod after their 30-foot pleasure boat caught fire, forcing them to swim to a small island where they sheltered in a barn for nearly two days.
The family, comprising a mother, father and their son, had planned to remain anchored between Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard over the weekend before returning on Tuesday afternoon. When they did not return as expected, a relative contacted authorities. The Coast Guard, along with Falmouth police and the Falmouth Harbormaster, launched a search throughout the night, but calls to the family went to voicemail.
On Wednesday, the son was able to use the boat's marine radio, which had washed ashore on the island, to make a mayday call. Shortly after, a Coast Guard helicopter rescued the family from Naushon Island and flew them to a local hospital. Scott Backholm, a search and rescue mission coordinator from Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, said: “Quick thinking and having quality equipment allowed the family to survive and call for help.”
Jeff Lamothe, deputy chief of the Hyannis fire department, told Boston 25 News that one family member was in critical condition and two were stable. The cause of the fire and the distance the family swam to the island have not been disclosed.
