Drone helps rescue squads locate boat taking on water in Stamford harbor
When crews arrived, they found the engine compartment submerged, leaving the boat without power.
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A boat taking on water off Stamford's coast was saved from sinking during an overnight rescue that also brought a dog safely back to shore.
The Stamford Fire Department said the U.S. Coast Guard reported a 24-foot vessel in distress off Westcott Cove around 1:28 a.m. Sept. 9. Firefighters, EMS crews and the department's dive team responded, while Stamford's Emergency Communications Center launched a drone equipped with infrared imaging to help locate the vessel.
Fireboat 236 established radar contact with the vessel, and the drone confirmed its location. When crews arrived, they found the engine compartment submerged, leaving the boat without power. One person and a dog were aboard. Neither was injured.
With the vessel continuing to take on water, firefighters secured it and began dewatering operations, preventing it from sinking. Once stabilized, Fireboat 236 towed the vessel to the West Beach boat ramp, where the owner removed it from the water using a trailer.
