Two Men Rescued After Their Boat Capsized in a New York Lake While Fishing

What would have been a calm fishing day for 77-year-old Joseph Davis and 66-year-old Brian Palmer turned into a rocky rescue. When their boat developed a mechanical issue and three-foot waves came in, the vessel started taking in water, leaving the two men stranded for hours before they were rescued.

Waves Overtake the Boat

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The two men were fishing in a New York lake on the morning of July 27 when the boat capsized. It was mid-afternoon when the Marine Patrol Unit responded to reports of an overturned boat.

It had been spotted by Gary and Rachel Jennings, a couple who had gone to the lake to celebrate Gary’s birthday with the children. They saw a chair floating in the water. They searched and found Joseph floating, holding onto debris from the boat.

“We saw the boater seat in the water. We approached him. We asked him if he was okay or needed help. He indicated he did need help," Rachel said. "At that point, we saw the partially capsized boat."

The couple threw him a rope and pulled him on board their boat.

“As soon as he gets the rope, and then he got to me, he grabbed my hand and just looked into my eyes. And he said, 'Don't let go,'” Gary said. "I said, 'I'm not going to let go, buddy. Don't worry.'"

Two Men Rescued

Joseph alerted them to Brian, who was still in the water. Another citizen got to Brian and saved him. The men were in the water for over five hours. An EMS team evaluated them on shore. Joseph suffered some bruises, but the men will be alright.

“If it weren’t for the life jackets they were wearing, we would definitely have a different outcome,” said Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol.

Rescuers Did The Right Thing

"We had talked about not going out, we had talked about delaying going out because of the weather," Rachel said. "Thankfully, we decided to go out and came across all of this and were able to help out."

The family was happy to help and said it’s important to do “the right thing.”

“Do the right thing because the next person will do the right thing for you," Gary said.

It’s wonderful that Gary and Rachel were at the lake that day despite their hesitation. They were able to help when it was most needed, and their rescuee is surely grateful.

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h/t: People

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Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.