The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(OLD SAYBROOK, Conn.) — Crewmembers aboard the M.S. Shahan II rescued two people from the water approximately 2 nautical miles south of Lyde Neck in Old Saybrook, Conn., on Monday.
At approximately 8 a.m., watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound received notification of a 40-foot vessel in distress, sinking and requesting assistance.
Sector Long Island Sound watch standers issued an urgent marine information broadcast notice to mariners, alerting vessels in the area of the distressed vessels situation in hopes they could render possible assistance.
Government assets that launched included Coast Guard Station New London, Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Old Saybrook Fire Department.
The merchant vessel M.S. Shahan II, a Plum Island ferry, was outbound from Old Saybrook and diverted to render assistance.
Once on scene, the M.S. Shahan II relayed information to Sector Long Island Sound, stating the distressed vessel had sunk and there were two people in the water, without life jackets, clinging to a boat fender.
The crewmembers of the M.S. Shahan II were able to safely maneuver their vessel and rescue the two people from the water.
Once safely aboard the M.S. Shahan II, the two people rescued were transported to Harbor One Pier in Old Saybrook.
Emergency medical services met at Harbor One Pier and determined both of the rescued people to be in good health.
A commercial company has been contacted for salvage operations.
The Coast Guard urges all mariners to wear their life jackets at all times while on the water. In an emergency there may not be enough time to put one on, so wearing one at all times may save your life.
