Recently, the U.S. Coast Guard captain of the Port of Portland, B. J. Lefebvre, issued a formal certificate of merit to the Scarborough Fire Department Marine Rescue Team for an incident that occurred last fall. Captain Lefebvre taped a video presentation due to COVID-19 restrictions, and followed it up by sending framed copies of the certificate to each member of the team that was involved.
On Sept. 16, 2020, the Scarborough Public Safety Communications Center received a report of a 19-foot, Star Craft, open hull boat that had capsized with two people clinging to its hull between Stratton and Bluff Islands in Saco Bay. The Scarborough Communications Center dispatched the Scarborough Marine Rescue Team along with the Saco Marine Rescue team as a backup per standard operating procedures. The U.S. Coast Guard was also notified and responded.
At the time of the incident, weather conditions were treacherous with 7-foot seas, 30 mph sustained winds with higher gusts, and 60 degree water temperature. As the marine rescue resources were enroute to the scene, the communications center lost contact with the victims. Scarborough Marine 4 was the first unit on station and began a search for the capsized vessel as darkness set in and weather conditions deteriorated.
Luckily the victims, two recreational lobstermen from out of town, had jumped into the very cold water and swam to safety on Bluff island. They had a cell phone with them and were able to call back into the 911 center and provide their position on the island which was relayed to the rescue boat. The victims were cold, exhausted, and needed immediate rescue, but the Coast Guard was still an hour away from arrival.
Bluff island is predominately surrounded by rocks and posed a significant risk to the marine rescue boat, making extraction of the victims very dangerous. Fortunately Scarborough’s marine rescue crew trains constantly and the operator and crew had practiced this type of an extraction before. Lt. Erin Sandler, the officer in charge on Marine 4 that day, is also a certified rescue swimmer. Marine 4 Captain Andrew Fortunato was able to position Marine 4 close enough so that Lt. Sandler could swim to shore and safely extract both victims, one at a time. Saco Fire Department Marine 5 arrived on station and stood by in case the crew from Marine 4 needed any assistance during the rescue.
The crew of Marine 4 promptly transported the victims back to the dock at Pine Point where Scarborough EMS evaluated them, warmed them up, and released them.
The individuals recognized for this incident included Chief Michael Thurlow, Deputy Chief Gary Sandler, Captain Daryen Granata, Lieutenant/Rescue Swimmer Erin Sandler, Boat Operator Andrew Fortunato, crew members Andrew Bolduc and Austin Oliver, Ambulance crew Lt. Michael DiClemente, Paramedic Adam Foster and FF/EMT Michael Welch, and shore crew Robert Carson, Edward Payson, Jacob Haarman, and Peter Igneri.
The last sentence in the certificate of merit reads, “The Scarborough Fire Department Marine Water Rescue Team’s bravery, professionalism, and dedication to public service is most heartily commended and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard”.
I too want to commend the men and women involved in this life-saving event for their courageous efforts. The marine rescue team trains hard and often for these types of events all summer long, and there is no doubt that preparation contributed to the team’s ability to save two lives on that stormy September night. Congratulations to all involved for a job well done!
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