Little Compton Man Rescued Off Sakonnet Point

A 23-year-old Little Compton man was rescued Wednesday evening after his fishing boat overturned near the Sakonnet Point Lighthouse.

According to Fred Melnyk, the commercial fishing vessel “Happy Hour” spotted James Perkins, of Little Compton, about a half-mile southeast off West Island on Sakonnet Point. Melnyk said Perkins was operating a 25-foot fishing boat by himself. Perkins’ vessel, which did not have a name, allegedly caught gill netting, tipped over and began taking on water as waves crashed down.

Melnyk said Perkins only had mild hypothermia and did not require hospital treatment.

“He was only wet from the waste down,” Melnyk said. “He’s quite lucky.”

Little Compton Marine 1, were dispatched at approximately 5:24 p.m. The Coast Guard and the Department of Environmental Management also assisted in the rescue.