BOSTON – A Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod helicopter hoisted a man from a boat that ran aground over rocky shoreline about eight miles west of Point Judith Harbor, R.I., Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
William R. Jones, 41, of East Lyme, Conn., was alone on the Interlude, a 28-foot sailboat, when it lost engine power and ran aground on the Quonochontaug Breach Way.
Coast Guard Station Point Judith launched a response boat, which was joined by two rescue boats from the Charlestown Police and Fire departments. The Coast Guard Cutter Chinook, an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in New London, Conn., also responded.
When none of the vessels were able to get close enough to assist Jones because of the danger of the rocks, a Jayhawk rescue helicopter hoisted the man to a nearby shoreline.
“We felt it would be more dangerous to attempt a rescue using one of the boats,” said Petty Officer Matthew Oliveira with Station Point Judith. “Our best option was to hoist the man to safety with the helicopter, and we were glad to see it worked out so well.”
A local salvage company later removed the sailboat from the rocks.
Jones did not report any injuries.
