Good Samaritan Saves 3 People After Boat Capsizes

Three people, two women and a man, were rescued by an unidentified Good Samaritan Friday after their sailboat capsized in the Sakonnet River. 

Tiverton Fire Lt. Josh Ferreira says three people were onboard the 10-foot sailboat when it capsized around 3:30 p.m. 

Tiverton Fire Department boats were the first municipal boats on scene, but a private vessel from Pirate Cove Marina reached the three individuals first.

"A Good Samaritan did get to them first and brought them safe to shore," Ferreira said. "We went out and made sure no one else was in the water."

Portsmouth Marine also responded. 

The unidentified, private boater brought the three about 10-feet to shore, allowing them to swim the rest of the way. No injuries were reported.

The sailboat capsized just north of Gould Island. The Portsmouth Fire Department received a report of a capsized boat off of Fountain Avenue, in the Island Park section of Portsmouth. 

Strong winds were believed to be the cause. The sailboat was returned to shore in the area of Fountain Avenue in Portsmouth. 

Neither the boat operator, Sheldon Snodgrass of Williamsburg, MA, nor his daughter were wearing life vests, despite sailing in poor weather conditions, according to Portsmouth Fire Deputy Chief Michael O'Brien.

Snodgrass allegedly told rescue crews they had been in distress for as long as 20 minutes before the first 911 call.

"Portsmouth Fire Department would like express its appreciation to all of the responders; Pirate Cove Marina for retrieving the boat and assisting its occupants and Tiverton Fire Department for its rapid response," wrote O'Brien in an e-mail.