Disaster was averted this afternoon off Compo Beach.
But not before dozens of police and pleasure boats searched Long Island Sound, and hundreds of beachgoers watched with worry.
The drama began when an abandoned kayak was spotted a couple of hundred yards offshore.
The Westport Police leaped into action. So did those from other jurisdictions. Fire Department trucks raced to the scene.
Chris Tait — the District 1 Representative Town Meeting member, on his boat in the water — saw Westport Police pull a kayak out of the water. He heard them radio an appeal to all boaters in the area, to be on the lookout for anyone who might have been in the kayak.
Westport Police boat, searching Long Island Sound off Compo Beach. (Hat tip and photo/Jim Hood)
Chris called his daughter Emmah — a Staples High School graduate, and rising sophomore at Colorado State University — who was in another boat. He told her what was happening.
“Oh yeah,” she said. “I picked him up!”
Emmah told Chris that earlier in the afternoon, she had seen a man hanging on to a kayak, waving in distress.
He was not wearing a life preserver, and appeared exhausted.
She helped him into her boat. He said he had been in the water for about 45 minutes.
They tried to get his kayak into Emmah’s craft, but could not.
So the man — a Westport resident in his 40s — sat next to Emmah’s dog, as she brought him back to Ned Dimes Marina, where his car was parked.
Apparently, he told no one that his kayak was still floating in the Sound. He got in his car and drove home.
But at the same time — as Emmah pulled into her slip — a police boat sped out of the marina. A boater had just called in a report of an upside-down kayak.
Chris quickly texted a photo of the kayak — which had been distributed earlier, by Westport Police — to Emmah.
Kayak, in police vessel.
She confirmed that it was the abandoned kayak.
Chris informed the police. All units returned to shore.
Congratulations and thanks to all the boaters — police and private — who responded.
And of course to Emmah and Chris Tait, for their alert and crucial help too.
Well done Emmah and Chris !
Great job Westport fire and police. And Chris and Emmah
Way to go Chris and Emmah! Notch one up for RTM D1. Great job!
I happened to see/watch Emmah dock her boat (with her dog sitting next to her) right after all this. I can attest that she is a very competent seaperson.
The headline would have read different had it not been for Emmah’s keen and vigilant instincts. Great job Emmah & Chris! 🇺🇸
A Tait and a hero. It goes well!
Why is no one calling out the kayaker for irresponsible behavior. No PFD. Not informing police that his kayak is still out there. Glad he was ok. But caused essential resources to be deployed for no reason.
He may have been exhausted and freaked out at what had happened and didn’t think to let anyone home. Sounds like it was scary for the guy so maybe we shouldn’t call him out.
Maybe so freaked out that he forgot to wear a PFD. Basic safety is important especially when others safety is at risk.
Still cudos to the rescuer.
I am not surprised at all that Chris and his daughter Emmah jumped into action but so very happy they did! Well done Emmah and Chris!
Way to go Emmah and Chris!! Super stars through and through!!
Major kudos to Emmah for saving a life! And thank you Chris for helping connect the dots! As for the kayaker and all others, the long island sound is not calm safe waters and basic safety equipment is crucial including but not limited to a PFD (worn), waterproof handheld VHF, float plan, and sticker on your boat with your name and phone #. Any time you come across a boat adrift / abandoned or person MOB be sure to call it into USCG/LEO. I have pulled out many kayakers/boaters from Westport waters over the past 20 years who got blown out into the sound or fell overboard or boat sunk. Boaters should always assist other boaters in an emergency or potential emergency, its our duty to keep an eye out for each other!
The guy owes the town an apology for his thoughtless oversight in not informing anyone that his kayak was out there.
Chris and Emmah – double geud !!
I am sure the guy was in a terrible state, even though he made mistakes, the wonderful young lady also could have made that call as she was part of leaving the boat. wondering why the couldn’t tie it on or stay with the boat and call for help to get the boat. A boat loose is a hazard right? Wonder what is taught in the safe boaters class?
You should never try to tie or haul a sunken kayak into another boat because the waterlogged kayak is extremely heavy, which can destabilize or capsize the rescuing vessel, cause sudden flooding, or injure people if it shifts or strikes the hull.
Lines can entangle limbs or the propeller, and towing creates dangerous drag that reduces control.
This is what we’re taught in personal watercraft courses.
Emmah did a 10/10 job! It’s great information and I learned when I got my license.
Just to clarify – Emmah and the gentleman, that was in distress, tried to pull the boat into Emmah’s boat and were unable to. Her first priority was to get the gentleman to safety. She then talked to her father who let the police know that was his kayak. Janine, there is obviously a time lapse with getting a person out of the water and to safety. Emmah’s response of getting a distressed person out of the water is the most important thing and is what is taught in boating classes.
People need to lay off the guy. Everyone processes traumatic experiences differently. A friend of mine once crashed his plane and just walked home without telling anyone, sometimes shock makes you do things that don’t make sense to others. You can’t judge someone’s reaction without understanding what they went through.
Great work, Great Tait family!