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 mother, father and their son failed to return as expected on Tuesday night, prompting a relative to contact authorities. The Coast Guard, along with Falmouth police and the Falmouth Harbormaster, launched an overnight search. Calls to the family went to voicemail.
On Wednesday, the son used the boat's marine radio, which had washed ashore on the island, to make a mayday call. A Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod rescued the family from Naushon Island and flew them to a hospital.
“Quick thinking and having quality equipment allowed the family to survive and call for help,” said Scott Backholm, a search and rescue mission coordinator from Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England.
The Coast Guard said the family had planned to anchor between Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard over the weekend and return on Tuesday afternoon. They were awakened by the fire but details on how far they swam or the nature of their injuries were not disclosed.
Jeff Lamothe, Hyannis fire deputy chief, told Boston 25 News that one family member was in critical condition and two were stable. No further information was available.
