*** WATCH *** FOUR SQUID FISHERMEN RUSHED TO CCH AFTER BOAT CAPSIZES… BARNSTABLE & STATE POLICE INVESTIGATING [NEW DETAILS]
NEW DETAILS… UPDATE FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE – 4/28/24:
Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois announced today that, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at approximately 11:39PM, State Police Detectives assigned to Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J Galibois’ office were notified of a capsized vessel in the ocean waters off Yarmouth.
The preliminary investigation indicates that said vessel became disabled and requested assistance. Sea Tow USA responded to render help. At some point during the towing process, in seas of approximately 4-5 feet and high wind speeds, the disabled vessel began to take-on water and capsized. Four occupants fell into the water. All four individuals ultimately boarded the Sea Tow USA. The Hyannis Fire Department dispatched a vessel to meet the Sea Tow USA on its approach to Hyannis and secured one of the four parties onto its vessel in order to render necessary medical aid while battling challenging seas and winds. After docking in Hyannis, medical personal continued to administer aid to all four parties and transferred all four to a local
hospital. This matter remains under investigation.
District Attorney Galibois would like to acknowledge the rapid response of the Hyannis Fire Department and the heroic efforts made by responding members.
Also, DA Galibois thanks the Barnstable and Yarmouth Police Departments for their responses and the continued efforts of the Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police, Barnstable Harbor Master and the United States Coast Guard
HYANNIS FD MEDIA STATEMENT:
INITIAL HN REPORT – EARLY DETAILS – DEVELOPING:
HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS – [HN VIDEO NOTES] – At around 10:30 p.m. last evening, rescue vessels, including a private towing vessel, responded to the waters near Point Gammon, just outside of Lewis Bay, after reports of a vessel capsized with people in the water. The vessel was described as a 23-foot Starcraft with a white hull and black bottom. As rescue boats were responding, only about 1 foot of the capsized hull was visible above the surface, according to radio transmissions.
HN spoke with Chief Peter Burke of the Hyannis Fire Department, and he explained that a boat with squid fishermen had lost power and capsized. All four onboard ended up in the bitter cold water. [A] private “Sea Tow” boat [had been been on scene attempting to tow the Starcraft] and was able to get all four out of the water. A couple of other nearby boats arrived to also assist, including one belonging to the Hyannis FD.
Mutual aid ambulances were called to the Lewis Bay/ “Cape Cod Hospital Boat Ramp” (Which is officially named the Gary R. Brown Boat Ramp…). All four patients were transported about a block to the nearby Cape Cod Hospital emergency room.
Barnstable Police, Hyannis Fire Department, Hyannis Harbormaster, Coast Guard, and individuals on private vessels were all involved in the rescue effort.
A detective from the Barnstable PD responded to the boat ramp and began speaking with patrol officers and others involved. A detective and photographer from the Massachusetts State Police also eventually responded to the boat ramp.
The vessel had not yet been salvaged by the time of this report.
The following HN Video contains initial emergency radio transmissions, blended in with footage that happened as patients were being transported to the nearby Cape Cod Hospital emergency room. [DEVELOPING]
[HN VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]