‘Difficult’ rescue of teenagers from overturned boat off Cape Cod

Five people were sent to hospital on Saturday night after a “difficult” rescue of two teenagers whose sailboat capsized off the coast of Falmouth.

Falmouth Fire Department responded to Black Beach around 5pm to reports of an overturned sailboat and two people in the water; The city’s harbor master and the US Coast Guard were also notified, in accordance to the fire department.

At the scene, first responders discovered that the 14-foot sailboat had capsized in strong surf and wind, throwing two teenage sailors into the water. A family member was also in the water trying to help the teenagers off the beach. All three were dressed in water supplies.

The rescuers were the first to pull the relative out of the water.

“An attempt was made to launch the inflatable boat from the beach as crews were working due to limited access to the beach and breaking waves,” the fire service said. “The surf conditions also made it difficult to locate the victims.”

A Coast Guard boat responded to the scene and a drone from the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office was used to search for the teenagers.

The fire service said that “shortly afterwards” the teenagers were able to reach the shoal south of the overturned boat and were helped onto the beach.

Two teenagers were taken to a local hospital for treatment of hypothermia. Two fire department employees were also taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries they sustained while working in the surf. A Falmouth police officer was also taken to the emergency room for evaluation, officials said.

According to the agency, the overturned boat was towed to deeper water, and the rescue operation was completed around 9:00 p.m.