Officers Save Father And Son Clinging To Cooler In Frigid Water

Boston Harbor Police Officers respond and save a father and son as they cling to their cooler in frigid water, and there isn’t much time to spare! 

76-year-old Joseph Azeredo and his son 41-year-old, Tommy Azeredo, were lobster fishing off of the coast of Graves Light Island, approximately 8 miles from Boston Seaport, when disaster struck. Their lobster lines got tangled in the motor of the boat, Tommy working for nearly half an hour trying to free the ropes. 

However, before he could, their boat hit rocks and began to take on water. Within minutes, the 28-foot Grady had sunk, and the men were in the water struggling to stay afloat! Body camera footage captured the desperation of the moment, as well as the life-saving rescue!

Watch as Officers Stephen Merrick and Garrett Boyle rescue Joseph and Tommy after getting the 911 call. As the police boat approaches the two in the water, Tommy and Joseph grab onto a rail on the side of the boat. 

They’d been treading water and staying above water by holding onto their Igloo cooler and a buoy for 15 minutes when the officers located them!

Officer Boyle explains that time is critical in these types of emergencies. Minutes can make the difference between life and death. Tommy insists that the patrolmen pull his dad out of the water first. 

Dad Joseph wears a life jacket, but Tommy does not; Tommy had taken his off to escape the boat’s cabin when it sank, the life jacket preventing him from swimming out of the boat at the time. Once Joseph is safe, Tommy is pulled onto the boat. What a terrifying experience!

The Azerados were extremely grateful to Officers Merrick and Boyle, as well as to their Igloo cooler! The four men met a few days after the accident. Thankfully, their injuries were minor. 

But, the experience will last a long time in their minds. Tommy said, “No more lobster. We’re selling those. We’ll just stick to fishing… That’s what we’ll do.”

“He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”” Daniel 6:27