UPDATE: Nahant Police conducted an urgent rescue mission on December 4, 2023, saving three individuals stranded on a boat that lost power and drifted perilously close to rocks near Lynn Harbor. The dramatic operation unfolded as darkness fell, with the boat’s occupants using seat cushions to paddle to safety.
Police Chief Timothy Furlong reported that the distress call originated from a resident at Bass Point Apartments, who spotted the vessel in trouble. The police quickly deployed a drone from the Emergency Management Department, operated by Sergeant Andrew Constantine, which hovered above the vessel to assess the situation.
“They were flashing what appeared to be a flashlight in an SOS pattern,” Furlong noted, highlighting the urgency as temperatures dropped. With no other boats available—due to winter dry dock—Nahant Police turned to the U.S. Coast Guard and State Police for assistance.
Within minutes, both agencies dispatched rescue boats to the scene. The collaboration proved crucial, as the Coast Guard successfully towed the stranded vessel to the Department of Conservation and Recreation boat ramp.
Furlong emphasized the critical role of the drone in the successful rescue: “The drone that Emergency Management purchased several years ago definitely assisted this rescue. Those three individuals were in for a long night, if not worse,” he stated.
Fortunately, all three occupants were unharmed and did not require medical attention post-rescue. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of quick response and inter-agency cooperation in emergency situations.
As investigations continue into the cause of the vessel’s power loss, authorities encourage boaters to remain vigilant and prepared, especially during the colder months. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
