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Update: Three rescued from sinking sailboat

COURTESY PHOTO
COURTESY PHOTO

Some new information has been received about the 31-foot sailboat that sunk in the bay Wednesday evening.

The Southold Town Police Department got a call from Allyson Olinkiewicz on Wednesday evening reporting “a sailboat … in distress” between Greenport and Shelter Island in Peconic Bay. Officer Brian McNamara responded but was unable to locate the vessel and no further action was taken.

Shelter Island Yacht Club (SIYC) Commodore Bryan Carey issued a statement: “While this was not a SIYC event we are glad that the sailors involved were retrieved without injury and grateful that SIYC staff and members were able to assist the sailors and first responders. Many thanks to all of those who provided aid and assistance.”

Below is the original story posted Thursday evening:

A 31-foot sailboat sunk Wednesday evening off Camp Quinipet sending three people into the bay during an informal race that many Shelter Island Yacht Club members participate in.

According to Jeff Bresnahan, who heads the club’s junior sailing program, sailor Ross Allonby’s boat, Badger, took on water “in “very windy conditions” and a “ripping” current.

The race started at 6 p.m., Mr. Bresnahan said and at 6:50 p.m. he got a call from club member Whitney McCarthy, who was concerned that “something didn’t look right” with Badger.

In 30 seconds, the boat was fully submerged and Mr. Allonby and two guests were in the water, Mr. Bresnahan added.

They were rescued by Zachary Bliss, who was watching the races from his motorboat nearby. No injuries were reported.

“It was just a perfect storm,” Mr. Bresnahan said. “The boat got hit by a wave, he took on a lot of water, there was a big puff of breeze. It went down quick.”

Yacht Club staffers spent all day Thursday trying to discover the boat’s location but were unsuccessful.

Badger could be in Connecticut now, for all we know,” Mr. Bresnahan said.

The Reporter will have more on the developing story tomorrow morning.