Boater Rescued from Capsized Vessel

Hyde Park, NY – On Thursday, August 8, 2019, at approximately 6:00 pm, the Dutchess County 911 Center received a report of a capsized sailboat on the Hudson River off the Town of Hyde Park shoreline. 911 public safety dispatchers activated the River Response Plan and dispatched the Roosevelt Fire Department, Mobil Life Support Services, Hyde Park Police and rescue boats from the New Hamburg Fire Department and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office.

A 44-year-old male from Poughkeepsie was in his sailboat on the Hudson River when a strong line of thunderstorms produced moderate waves and heavy winds causing the sailboat to capsize. The male was able to climb on top of his overturned boat and call for help.

Despite the adverse conditions, Hyde Park residents Jeff Ledoux and Thomas Sanford launched a small boat to rescue the 44-year-old male. When they arrived on the scene, Ledoux and Sanford took the male onto their boat and they secured a line to the capsized sailboat.

The Sheriff’s boat with a Roosevelt Fire Captain and a Firefighter/EMT on board arrived on the scene. The 44-year-old male was transferred onto the Sheriff’s boat and fire personnel started a patient assessment. The patient was transported to the dock at Hyde Park Marina and EMS personnel determined that he was uninjured.

The Sheriff’s boat returned to the scene and towed the sailboat to Hyde Park Marina. First responders and citizens assisted with righting the sailboat.

All boaters are encouraged to stay with their boat or watercraft if it capsizes. Attempting to swim to shore is strongly discouraged due to the currents in the Hudson River. In addition, it is much easier for first responders to locate a vessel as compared to a person in the water. Boaters are encouraged to always wear a personal flotation device.