Coast Guard swimmer rescues 2 after boat grounds off Maine

One hundred and thirteen people were rescued by the United States Coast Guard Tuesday night when a charter vessel ran aground off Woods Hole. Due to shallow water surrounding the shoal where the boat grounded, the responders where unable to safely disembark the passengers from the vessel.

The 86-year-old man and his 82-year-old wife, whose names were not released by the Coast Guard, were rowing toward a Coast Guard rescue boat when the skiff capsized.

Calvin Legge, a Coast Guard-certified surface swimmer, dove into the water near Flynn’s Ledge when he saw the couple struggling in the water.

“The exceptional response by our boat crews and the Falmouth Police department led to a quick and successful rescue”, said Coast Guard Capt. John Kondratowicz. “The boat shook and we were stuck for a few hours”.

“The actions of our boat crew were truly heroic”, said Cmdr.

In addition to the Coast Guard, the town Harbormaster and a good Samaritan assisted.

“”Both of the survivors were in the water without lifejackets”, he said”, making a unsafe situation much worse.

The incoming high tide made it possible for the Pied Piper to be refloated and towed back to the Woods Hole Oceanographic dock. There were no pollution concerns.