VINALHAVEN — A Knox County Sheriff’s deputy is recovering from mild hypothermia and an injured ankle after his boat became adrift and took on water between Vinalhaven and North Haven, in the Fox Island Thoroughfare.

Thursday night, April 9, at approximately 9 p.m, fire departments and ambulance personnel were called to action during a spring snowstorm based on spotty bits of communication that, pieced together, led to the whereabouts of Deputy Dan Landers.

According to Sheriff Tim Carroll, Landers had been seated in his cruiser on Vinalhaven, completing his duties prior to the end of his shift, when he noticed his personal boat suddenly go adrift after breaking the one bow line that he had tied off.

Through high winds and falling snow, Landers went to the boat, which was just off of the shoreline, and managed to jump in. 

“While he attempted to maneuver the boat from the rocks by backing away, the boat became partially submerged with water,” said Carroll. “As it blew against a rock outcropping, Deputy Landers made the decision to exit the boat as it appeared to be drifting down the channel.”

Having now drifted approximately 50 feet from shore, and onto the outcropping with water between, Landers attempted communications with his supervisor, Sgt. Arthur Smith, and dispatchers at Knox County Communications Center in Rockland. Cell phone and radio dialogue proved unreliable during the storm, but also because communication reception in general can be weak at times on the islands, according to Carroll. 

Enough information was gathered to send help from Vinalhaven and North Haven fire and rescue teams, despite not knowing exactly which side of the thoroughfare he was on.

A lobster boat from North Haven attempted, but could not get close enough to him. Landers ended up traversing the water to where rescuers were able to assist him on the Vinalhaven side. Landers was able to put a lifejacket on.

Landers was medically cleared from mild hypothermia and possibly a sprained ankle. The boat was recovered and secured back to the dock.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com