Copter plucks captain off foundering tugboat

Groton - A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued the operator of a 50-foot tugboat that ran aground near Race Point off Fishers Island Saturday morning, Coast Guard officials said.

"The master of the 50-foot black-and-red tug boat ran aground on the rocks south of the island and punched a good-sized hole in his hull," said Lt. Bobbie-Jean Felix, Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound's command duty officer. "Initially, it was reported the boat was taking on water so fast the boat's bilge pumps couldn't keep up."

Coast Guard crews out of New London responded to the incident, which occurred around 7:30 a.m. A Coast Guard helicopter out of Cape Cod was used to hoist the tug operator, Doug Walker of New London, off the boat. Walker was the only person on board, Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Winters said.

Walker was not injured and was taken to Groton-New London Airport, where he was questioned by Coast Guard officials about the incident, Coast Guard Lt. John Vasilarakis of Sector Long Island Sound said.

He said Walker had recently purchased the boat in Baltimore and was bringing it back to Connecticut when it ran aground.

The vessel had taken on about 1,000 gallons of water by Saturday evening, Vasilarakis said. No other vessels were involved.

It is unclear what caused the tug to run aground. A salvage plan for the vessel is being determined. It is currently aground in about two feet of water, the Coast Guard said.