2 Rescued After Canoe Capsizes Off Milford Coast

MILFORD, CT — Two people were rescued from Long Island Sound Monday evening after their canoe capsized about 300 yards off the Milford coast, according to fire officials.

Milford's Emergency Operations Center received a 911 call from a passerby in the area of Laurel Beach and Stowe Avenue reporting a capsized canoe with two people in the water holding onto its side, Milford Fire Department assistant chief of operations Adam Hansen said.

With assistance from Milford police, a drone was immediately launched and confirmed that two people were in the water. Only one of them was wearing a personal flotation device, according to Hansen.

The fire department launched a full marine response, including two fire boats and a Jet Ski stationed at Walnut Beach.

Firefighters responding to the Jet Ski were dispatched, arrived at Walnut Beach, deployed the watercraft and reached the two people in distress within about 10 minutes, Hansen said.

“This quick operation/response was crucial to the success of the call,” Hansen said.

The rescue came after Milford's marine units spent recent weeks conducting Jet Ski training around Charles Island. Hansen said the training helps ensure crews are prepared to respond to marine emergencies, particularly given Milford's extensive coastline.

Fire officials also used the incident to remind people about the importance of wearing personal flotation devices while on open water.

Hansen cautioned that conditions offshore can differ significantly from what people observe from land, even when the water appears calm from the shoreline.