GLOUCESTER — Police Chief Edward Conley and Harbormaster Thomas Ciarametaro report that the Gloucester Police and Harbormaster responded Tuesday to a report of two paddleboarders missing off the coast of Coffin Beach.
On Tuesday, July 12, at 12:25 p.m., Gloucester public-safety dispatchers received a 911 call from a man who reported that his wife and son were paddleboarding off Coffin Beach and had been blown out to sea. The husband reported he could no longer see his wife, and could see only his son’s silhouette.
Deputy Harbormaster Chad Johnson and Robert Genaway, an Endicott College student working as an intern with the Harbormaster’s Office, responded immediately in a Harbormaster boat.
Deputy Harbormaster Johnson and Genaway located the missing mother and son within 9 minutes. The mother was about three miles from shore and the son was about a mile and a half from shore.
Both individuals were transported back to Coffin Beach, where they declined medical treatment and reunited with the 911 caller.
“I’m grateful for the quick and skillful response from Deputy Harbormaster Johnson and our intern, who ensured that this alarming incident did not end in tragedy,” said Harbormaster Ciarametaro. “I encourage all paddleboarders, and others who intend to use watercraft off the coast, to be mindful of wind and tide conditions and to take other safety precautions.”
Harbormaster Ciarametaro said the woman and her son were pushed out to sea by a combination of an ebb tide and approximately 30 mph offshore winds, which gave them no chance to get back to shore on their own.
Those using paddleboards and similar watercraft, such as kayaks, on open waters are encouraged to:
- Always wear a life vest]
- Be mindful of wind, tide and weather conditions before setting out
- Carry a handheld VHF radio if possible
