Latest update:
Westport Police are currently in the midst of an intensive search for two missing boaters. The incident unfolded on October 22, 2023, at approximately 4:09 PM, when Westport Police were alerted to a boating mishap, potentially involving two missing individuals. A concerned boater in the vicinity of Cockenoe Island discovered a man standing on Nun #2, a navigational buoy, at around 4:00 PM. Promptly, a second man and a woman were also rescued from the water. All three individuals were swiftly transported to Norwalk Marina and subsequently to a hospital for a comprehensive evaluation.
Given the language barrier encountered at the scene, a translator was requested. Once responding officers were able to communicate with the individuals involved, it became evident that a total of five people were on board a small fishing boat that had sunk, compelling all of them to enter the water.
The search efforts, spearheaded by Westport Police Marine Division and complemented by the US Coast Guard, Norwalk Police Marine Division, Fairfield Police Marine Division, and Suffolk County Air Unit, are actively underway. Their primary objective is to locate the vessel on which these individuals were aboard and to find the two missing individuals, both hailing from Spring Valley, NY, and Suffern, NY. Collaborative efforts with translators are being employed to facilitate this investigation.
The incident transpired sometime after 9:30 AM on the morning of October 22, when the small fishing boat was anchored on the southside of Cockenoe Island and ultimately sank due to the choppy waters. As mentioned, all five occupants ended up in the Sound. Search operations commenced but were temporarily suspended at 9:00 PM on the same day, only to resume at sunrise the following morning. Both US Coast Guard Marine and Air Units, as well as the Suffolk County Air Unit, are providing invaluable assistance in this ongoing search and rescue mission.
Police UPDATE: On October 22, 2023, at approximately 4:09 PM, Westport Police were alerted to a boating incident with the possibility of two missing people. Around 4:00 PM, a boater in the vicinity of Cockenoe Island discovered a male standing on Nun #2 (a navigational buoy). A second male and a female were also rescued from the water. All three individuals were transported to Norwalk Marina and subsequently to the hospital for evaluation.
A translator was requested, and once responding officers were able to speak with the involved parties, it was learned that there were a total of five individuals on a small boat that sank, causing all parties to enter the water. Westport Police Marine Division, with the assistance of the US Coast Guard, Norwalk Police Marine Division, Fairfield Police Marine Division, and Suffolk County Air Unit, is actively searching the waters in an attempt to locate the vessel these individuals were on and the two missing parties.
Boaters who were in the area of Cockenoe Island between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM on October 22, 2023, are urged to contact the Westport Police Department at (203) 341-6000.
Coast Guard, Norwalk, and Westport combine on a water rescue off Long Island Sound. Sound like they are headed into a yacht club in Norwalk.
