Crime & Safety
Norwalk Man Escapes As His Boat Burns off Westport
All six people aboard "Twosome," a boat normally docked at Cove Marina in Norwalk, escaped the vessel Saturday evening after it caught on fire between Cockenoe Island and Compo Beach.
All six people aboard a large pleasure boat on Long Island Sound near Norwalk escaped the vessel when it caught on fire and sank at Saturday evening.
A Norwalk Fire Department boat was called to the scene at about 8 p.m., arriving there in eight minutes, according to a Norwalk Fire Department news release. Norwalk and Westport marine units were reportedly unable to extinguish the fire, and the vessel burned down to the water line.
According to a report from the Westport Fire Department, Westport Police Captain Sam Arciola, who was off duty fishing in his private boat along with his friend Don Saunders not far from where the incident occurred, between Cockenoe Island and Compo Beach.
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The two noticed smoke and flames coming from the vessel—a Meridian with twin diesel engines named “Twosome” based at in Norwalk. According to the Norwalk Fire Department, the boat is 42 feet long. A report in WestportNow.com said it was 47 feet, 10 inches long.
According to the report, Captain Arciola and Saunders rescued the lone occupant of the vessel before it became fully involved in flames.
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Meanwhile police had already received several 911 calls reporting a vessel on fire on Long Island Sound. Westport Marine Police responded to the scene with three marine units, assisted by members of the Westport Fire Department.
In addition to boats from Norwalk Fire and Police departments, two U.S. Coast Guard vessels and a Noroton fireboat also responded at the scene, according to a news release from the Norwalk Fire Department.
After burning to the water line, the vessel sank at 9:21 p.m., according to the WestportNow.com news website. The owner of the boat, a Norwalk man, said the vessel had been bought for $800,000 three years ago and was fully insured, WestportNow reported. He said he had just dropped off some passengers at Cedar Point Yacht Club, according to the website.
Arrangements are being made to salvage the vessel. The incident is being investigated by the Westport Police Marine Division. The position of the vessel was marked for salvage.
The lone occupant of the vessel was transported to Compo Marina by Captain Arciola.
Editor's note: The story was changed at 12:24 p.m., Monday, to note the fact that there are conflicting accounts on the exact length of the boat: 42 feet or 47 feet, 10 inches.
