Great job SPD! I heard this on the scanner this morning and was amazed at how the Salem police boat, got out to the man and back to the dock so fast. The Salem police saved that mans life! Great job!

Great job to the Salem Harbormaster to!

I think also the paramedics from Atlantic Ambulance helped too.

Looks like a nice job by the Danvers Harbormaster?

Out in the harbor alone in March, in 35 degree waters, on a 10'-foot sailboat with no wet suit.

I'm no sailor, somebody help me here.

Is this something your typical recreational sail boat aficionado would do?

I'm the sailor that was rescued from the drink Wednesday morning and, without hesitation or doubt, absolutely owe my life to all the responders and care-providers involved—THANK YOU ALL!!! Your professionalism and attentiveness are nothing short of amazing and I'll forever be in the debt of these outstanding individuals.
My time in the water was probably actually closer to 30-35 minutes, but that's just a best guess in hindsight from trying to reconstruct what happened... the long & short of it though is that if it weren't for their efforts and if I hadn't been able to ultimately get to the VHF submerged (but thankfully tethered) under the boat and place the mayday that called them to the scene I wouldn't be here writing this now!

(cont'd)
I've been sailing small boats my whole life and have never (well, maybe once or twice as a child) capsized... and so error/lesson-learned #1: confidence in one's abilities should _never_ outweigh due prudence (in this case, indeed, the use of a drysuit given the environmental conditions). "Is this something your typical recreational sailboat aficionado would do?" Well, I'm a good bit more "gung-ho" than your typical recreational aficionado and have sailed the Sound in all seasons without incident before but, as above, this is no excuse and I _should_ have known better than to court danger by not wearing a drysuit at this time of year! (Thank goodness this lesson learned wasn't at the expense of life... just the invaluable time & efforts of my rescuers, a _very_ scary near-to-death run-in with hypothermia and, admittedly trivially in light of everything else, a lot of expensive gear lost). The capsize was a result of a rigging failure (despite a check-out of all systems prior to setting out) at the same time as a significant gust leading to a massive destabilization of the CG-CB balance in an otherwise very stable platform... thus error/lesson-learned #2: no system is infallible, and Murphy will ultimately have his way, so _always_ plan for the worst case scenario!

(cont'd) Once immersed I immediately activated my inflatable PFD and proceeded to attempt to right the boat... error/lesson-learned #3: protocol should have demanded that, given the conditions, attempts at retrieving the VHF and placing the mayday should have been affected first! Hypothermic shock and the bulkiness of the inflated PFD with harness system made it impossible to gain sufficient purchase/leverage to return the boat to its upright position but, somewhat delirious and being given to an unfortunately over-developed sense of self-reliance, I sure expended way too much time, energy, and body heat (upon arrival at hospital body temp was measured at 87F) in the attempt.

(cont'd)
At the end of the day I'm at fault of course for not having exercised sufficient prudence in my personal preparations and having overly-relied on my own sense of accomplishment. I hope though that this can be a lesson as well to other mariners, but if one does get into trouble then VHF and Salem Harbormaster, Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Hospital are simply indespensible and the very best!
Thank you again all for saving my life, Stay Safe on the Water, and remember the adage that "though you may love the ocean, she does not love you"!!

DavyJones, 33 Years ago come May. I lost two people in that same area when their boat sank. They had no bodily injury in the incident but Both men died from "Hypothermia" one body was recovered and one slipped beneath the waves never to be found. Even when its a nice, warm, sunny day though the end of the month of "May", the ocean is still a deadly cold risk of hypothermia for any unfortunate boater that ends up in the water. ! am so happy your alive to share your story to teach others. "The speedy response of all your rescuers did a great job! "