A family's seafaring outing turned perilous after their boat, the Third Wave, caught fire off Massachusetts' coast, leading to a harrowing rescue scenario. The Sullivan family had set sail from Eel Pond in Falmouth on Friday and were expected to return on Tuesday, as reported by NBC Boston. But their maritime journey took a drastic turn when they awoke to their 30-foot vessel engulfed in flames on Monday night, forcing them to swim to the safety of Naushon Island.
Upon not returning as scheduled, the family was reported overdue by a concerned member Tuesday evening. A search was initiated, encompassing efforts by the Coast Guard, police and Falmouth harbormaster, as well as the Naushon Trust. In a serendipitous stroke of luck, the son, after a walk on the beach, stumbled upon the boat's marine radio, enabling a distress call that according to WCVB, read: "Our ship burned while we were sleeping. We barely escaped." This mayday beacon was the key to their eventual airlift from the island by the Coast Guard helicopter, amidst serious injuries sustained in the ordeal.
Volunteers from Naushon Trust were first to reach the stranded family, providing essential first aid before the Coast Guard's arrival. The mother and son, Cynthia and Tyler Sullivan, were taken to Cape Cod Hospital, while Patrick Sullivan was flown to a burn unit in Boston. "The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the U.S. Coast Guard and all emergency personnel who participated in the search and rescue efforts," the Sullivan family said in a statement, as WCVB reported.
Providing a chilling account of the event, Brian Sullivan made a mayday call that found the radio washed onto the beach, indicating a close call with disaster. "Quick thinking and having quality equipment allowed the family to survive and call for help," Scott Backholm, a Coast Guard search-and-rescue mission coordinator, emphasized in a statement covered by NBC Boston. Mariners are encouraged to ensure their vessels are properly equipped for safety and to pursue first aid training – a sentiment echoed by responders given the life-threatening situation faced by the Sullivans.
Naushon Island, part of the Elizabeth Islands northwest of Martha's Vineyard, became a critical refuge for the family. With the Coast Guard's swift and coordinated efforts, along with the aid from local volunteers, a dire circumstance was met with a professional and life-preserving response. Cynthia Sullivan remains in critical, but stable condition and her son Tyler, also injured, is in stable condition; meanwhile, Patrick Sullivan is receiving specialized care for burns.
