A fisherman who ended up in the ocean water at Hampton Harbor while transitioning from his skiff to his vessel was clinging to a mooring ball during an outgoing tide when he was rescued by firefighters early Monday morning.

Hampton Fire Chief Michael McMahon said the man was a crew member on a fishing boat and his skiff got away from him.

Emergency rescue crews were called to the scene at 1:38 a.m.

"He was in the water about an hour and a half before someone heard his cries for help," McMahon said.

McMahon explained that the Atlantic Ocean is currently "Hampton warm" at 67 degrees, but that is still draining on a person.

According to a Facebook post, during the rescue Engine 4 was dispatched to the state pier to see if crew members could locate the man in the water.

Hampton police were able to make verbal contact with the man. Engine 4 and Ambulance 3 were sent to Marine 1, according to the post.

Marine 1 was also dispatched to help a struggling swimmer in Hampton on July 6.

The Hampton Fire Department has firefighters who are qualified as rescue swimmers and boat operators.

Seacoast Current File Photo
Seacoast Current File Photo
loading...

McMahon said they did not have to use a rescue swimmer to help the fisherman during the rescue early Monday morning.

The man was checked out by EMS and since he was uninjured, firefighters brought him to his fishing boat. Another person came to help get the skiff back, McMahon said.

Hampton fire crews coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard to keep them informed during the rescue.

Contact Managing News Editor Kimberley Haas at Kimberley.Haas@townsquaremedia.com.

Shark Species in Maine

 

 

More From 94.9 WHOM