ESSEX — Two men and a dog were rescued from frigid, chest-deep water Friday night after their sailboat ran aground in the Essex River.
At 8:12 p.m. Friday, Essex first responders were notified by the U.S. Coast Guard through the North Shore Regional 911 Center, which provides emergency dispatch services to Essex, that the 30-foot sailboat had deployed an emergency beacon.
Essex police Chief and Harbormaster Thomas Shamshack took command and located the vessel listing heavily to one side and taking on water near Coffin Beach at the mouth of the river.
Deputy Fire Chief and Assistant Harbormaster David Pereen, along with police Officer and Deputy Harbormaster Joseph Fedullo, launched a 14-foot flat-bottom rescue skiff and approached the sail boat. Police Sgt. Daniel Bruce responded from his home and deployed the department’s drone.
The two men, brothers age 28 and 30, were located wading through frigid chest-deep water with a dog floating alongside in a plastic tote.
All three were rescued by first responders in the skiff and were brought to shore. One brother was able to walk while the other was carried 250 yards by Fedullo through sand dunes to 2 Penny Lane in Gloucester (2 Penny Lane is the name of the street, not a specific address).
The two men were brought to a local hospital by Gloucester Fire Department ambulances and are expected to make a full recovery. The dog is also reported to be in good condition.
Body camera footage of the rescue shows first responders assisting the two men and the dog into the skiff during pitch black conditions as well as the communication across several departments to get the men and dog out of the water and to safety.
The 10:39 footage shows the first responders carrying the men through the beach onto 2 Penny Lane where they are eventually met by a Gloucester police cruiser.
“This was a tremendous example of teamwork by the Essex police and fire departments, working in direct contact with the Coast Guard and our other mutual aid partners to respond quickly, locate the vessel in distress and put assets in the water to make three successful rescues this evening,” Shamshak said in a statement. “This rescue underscores the importance of proper training and effective communication for maritime hazards in communities like ours.”