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    Thursday, April 25, 2024

    Rhode Island environmental police seek information in fatal boating accident

    In this Sept. 22, 2015, Day file photo, a fatal boating accident that occurred last month in the waters off Watch Hill near Napatree Point. (Wendy Sears/Special to The Day)

    Westerly — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's Division of Law Enforcement is looking for anyone who may have witnessed or has information on a fatal boating accident that occurred last month in the waters off Watch Hill near Napatree Point.

    Walter "Wally" Krupinski of Stonington was killed on Sept. 22 when his 23-foot Steiger Craft capsized after a 60-foot Viking Princess yacht allegedly ran over it, according to the Coast Guard.

    The Division of Law Enforcement said the Viking Princess is owned by Viking Sport Cruisers of New Gretna, N.J.

    The vessel was on display at the Newport Boat Show prior to the fatal collision, and was en route to Old Saybrook for another boat show at the time of the collision, the Division of Law Enforcement said in a news release.

    The Viking Princess was being operated by a hired captain, Cooper W. Bacon, 76, of Cape May Court House, N.J., with a first mate, William L. Noe, III, 73, of Woodbine, N.J.

    Krupinski sometimes filled in as dock master at the Stonington Town Dock. He started out his career as a lobsterman and later in life became a rod-and-reel fisherman.

    The U.S. Coast Guard and the Westerly Police Department are assisting in the investigation of the accident.

    Anyone with information, photos or video of the incident is asked to call the division at (401) 222-3070.

    In this Sept. 22, 2015, Day file photo, a fatal boating accident that occurred last month in the waters off Watch Hill near Napatree Point. (Wendy Sears/Special to The Day)

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