SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

Local News

March 15, 2010

Marblehead man plucked from Salem Harbor

SALEM — A 39-year-old Marblehead man had to be rescued yesterday after his boat capsized while towing a small float.

Brendan Sheehan, owner of Midharbor Marine Mooring Co., was operating an 18-foot work boat and towing a small float that had broken loose when it became caught on an unknown object, Salem Harbormaster Peter Gifford said.

When the float snagged, it caused Sheehan's boat to stop abruptly, flooding the stern and capsizing the boat within a few seconds.

Gifford said Sheehan was able to swim to the float he was towing and crawl up onto it. He used his cell phone to call for help.

Sheehan, a Marblehead firefighter and former Pickering Wharf dockmaster, was cold but not hypothermic.

The seas were dangerous yesterday with 5- to 6-foot seas with 35 mph winds. The water temperature was 40 degrees.

Sheehan said he knew conditions were poor but he wanted to finish his work before leaving the state in the morning.

Conditions were so bad the harbormaster's boat will be left at the Congress Street dock until conditions improve.

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