SALEM, Mass. — Rescue authorities said a portable, waterpoof marine radio saved the life of a sailor when his 10-foot sailboat capsized in the frigid ocean water off Salem Harbor.
They said David Polan, 41, of Cambridge, Mass., was able to make a mayday call Wednesday morning about a half-mile from shore and keep his location signal strong until rescued.
Polan was clinging to his capsized day sailer when harbormaster Bill McHugh and his assistant reached him at 9:25 a.m.
McHugh said Polan had been in the 40-degree water about 20 minutes, and appeared to be suffering from hypothermia. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment and released.
McHugh said the marine radio made the difference.
"He was in the water and the radio was getting wet, but we were still able to hear him," said the harbormaster. "He stayed with the boat, which was advisable. He was way too far out to swim anywhere."
A veteran sailor, Polan was practicing what is called "frostbite" sailing in his small craft. Frostbite sailing is a favorite sport of New England sailors in he winter. Sailing clubs often sponsor weekly races.
---
Details for this story were provided by the Salem, Mass., News..
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
