Fairfield Fire Dept. Rescues Stranded Fisherman from Penfield Lighthouse

FAIRFIELD, CT - On Saturday, Sept. 28, at about 6:45am, the Fairfield Fire Department received a call reporting a person in distress at Penfield Lighthouse. 

Fairfield Fire Marine units M228 and M217 immediately responded and began searching the location. Marine 228 was the first arriving unit, and reached the victim at Penfield Light. The victim reported he had and an unaccounted for individual walked onto the Reef from shore at about 7pm the previous night, to do some fishing, but became disoriented when a fog rolled in around 11pm.

The two separated while attempting to flee the Reef, with the rescued victim resorting to swimming to Penfield Lighthouse when the Reef was overtaken by the tide. The rescued victim could not identify the location of the second victim. He was transported to shore by Fire personnel and evaluated by medical personnel with no reported injury.

Fairfield Fire Marine units began a search of the last known location of the missing fisherman under the direction of the US Coast Guard. Investigation revealed the missing person had also been forced off the Reef, but managed to swim to shore. Contact was made with the individual, who said he was not injured in the event and took a cab to his home in Brewster NY.

Assistant Fire Chief Roger Caisse, the incident commander stated, "The individuals involved in this case were extremely fortunate to escape harm. Fishing off Penfield Reef, especially in darkness and fog, can be exceptionally hazardous as environmental conditions often change rapidly. Personal protective equipment such as flotation, signaling devices, and notifying others of your fishing plan can make the difference in survival when conditions turn bad."

No firefighter injuries were reported from the scene.

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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