4 Connecticut Men Rescued After Clinging to Overturned Boat in Long Island Sound

ROCKY POINT, NY — In a tense overnight rescue, four Connecticut men were saved after their boat capsized in the middle of the Long Island Sound early Sunday morning, Suffolk County police said.

The group had been navigating a 20-foot center-console boat when it overturned near Stratford Shoal, a remote area of the Sound about halfway between Long Island and the Connecticut shoreline. The men managed to climb onto the hull of the sinking vessel and held on for nearly an hour as darkness and waves closed in.

None of the men were wearing life jackets.

Suffolk County Marine Bureau officers Jack Hardy and John Falcone responded to the distress call shortly after midnight. Guided by spotlights and marine GPS, the officers located the men just off Rocky Point and pulled all four safely aboard the Marine Delta patrol boat.

The men were transported to shore in Stratford, Connecticut, where they were treated for hypothermia and exposure. Authorities said all four are expected to recover fully. Their names have not been released.

“Had it been another 20 minutes, this could have ended very differently,” one officer familiar with the rescue told Long Island Daily News. “They were extremely lucky.”

Investigators said the group had launched from Stratford earlier in the evening. The cause of the capsize is still under review, though police noted choppy water conditions and poor nighttime visibility as contributing factors. No alcohol or foul play is suspected.

The incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of boating safety, officials added.

“This was a close call,” said Suffolk Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison. “We urge all boaters—no matter the size of the vessel or how short the trip—to wear life jackets and ensure their safety gear is up to date.”

The boat has since been recovered. The Suffolk County Marine Bureau continues to investigate.

Boating Safety Reminders from Suffolk PD:

• Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket
• Carry emergency flares or signaling devices
• Never boat at night without proper navigation lights
• Check weather conditions before heading out
• File a float plan with a friend or family member

As the busy summer boating season continues, police say this successful rescue should serve as both a cautionary tale—and a testament to the quick work of marine officers who patrol some of Long Island’s most unpredictable waters.

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