A boating mishap off the coast of Sandwich, Massachusetts, ended with a local man being rescued from the waters after his 14-foot sailboat capsized. The incident occurred yesterday around 5:07 PM, with the man spending approximately 30 minutes in the water before help arrived, according to a statement obtained by CapeCod.com.

The Sandwich Fire Department was initially occupied with a traffic accident on Route 6, but an available ambulance, which included a boat operator, quickly headed to the marina to launch the fireboat. A new response plan involving mutual aid from Barnstable and the Joint Base Cape Cod Fire Departments was put into action due to a staffing shortage at the USCG Cape Cod Canal Station, as reported by MassLive.

Upon arrival at the scene near 111 Salt Marsh Road, rescuers found the victim clinging to a nearby kayaker who had responded to assist. The man was pulled from the water by the Sandwich Fire Department's boat and brought to Sandwich Marina. Once there, he was evaluated for hypothermia and declined hospital transport.

The joint rescue effort proved effective, with Barnstable's fireboat remaining on scene to aid in securing the capsized vessel. Meanwhile, Joint Base Cape Cod Fire Department, providing additional manpower and assistance for other incidents in the area, ended up responding to two separate medical calls. The collective effort of these departments underlined the value of the new emergency response procedures. The harbormaster will coordinate with the boat owner to recover the overturned sailboat.

In a demonstration of inter-agency collaboration during emergency incidents, the Sandwich Fire Department extended its gratitude to Barnstable Fire and Joint Base Cape Cod Fire Departments for their swift and crucial support. The man's rescue highlights the importance of such partnerships and the vitality of well-coordinated response plans in mitigating the potential perils that arise on and near the sea.