Overdue boater found safe, Coast Guard searches for sunken boat

BOSTON — The overdue boater Brett Knight was found safe in a survival craft near Brenton Reef at the entrance of Narragansett Bay, R.I., Tues., Aug. 3, 2010.

The crew of the fishing vessel Five J's notified the Coast Guard that they found Knight in his rigid-hull craft around 5:21 a.m.

A Coast Guard Station Castle Hill boat crew met the Five J's and transported Knight to awaiting EMS at the station.

EMS took Knight to the Newport Hospital for evaluation but there are no reports of injuries at this time.

Knight stated his boat sank but is unsure where. The cause of the sinking is unknown. Mr. Knight confirmed that he was the only person on the vessel at the time of the sinking.

A Falcon Jet crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod will search for his vessel, Jawz, or any debris that may have come from the vessel between Newport, R.I., and Point Judith, R.I.

"It is really fantastic that Mr. Knight was recovered safely," said Lt. Christian Herold from coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. "This near tragedy highlights the importance of maintaining safety gear. In this case, the survival craft probably saved Mr. Knight's life. Floatation devices and life rafts play a very important role in vessel safety, but we also want boaters to realize the importance of emergency position indicating radio beacons and digital selective calling marine radios that can provide the Coast Guard with a distress signal and location."

Coast Guard stations Castle Hill and Point Judith searched for Knight from Point Judith to Newport and the surrounding areas after he was reported overdue by friends.

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