Freedom’s grounding off Greenwich prompts DEEP response

GREENWICH – The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is using a racing yacht that ran up on rocks just east of Little Captain’s Island last weekend as an opportunity to remind boaters that some accidents need to be reported.

A racing yacht that Dennis Conner skippered to an America’s Cup victory in 1980 got hung up on the rocks Saturday afternoon off the shores of Byram this weekend.

Freedom US30 was grounded on the group of rocks known as “Hen and Chickens” The high tide took it off about 10:30 p.m. with minimal damage, reported Harbormaster Ian Macmillan, who was not on the scene.

 

freedom

 

The yacht was acquired by the 12m Yacht Development Foundation in 2014, according to the foundation’s website.

“We are certainty glad that no one was hurt in this incident and there was no significant damage to this historic vessel! However, we want to remind you (and this skipper) that if you have an accident that meets any of the following conditions a accident report must be filed with the DEEP,” the state agency’s boating division posted on its Facebook page.

DEEP said “the operator of a vessel involved in a boating accident, which results in any of the circumstances noted below shall immediately notify the nearest law enforcement agency and, within 48 hours after the accident, report the matter in writing on a form provided by the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Boating Division.

The condtions include the death of any person from whatever cause, the disappearance of any person from on board and the injury of any person sufficient to require medical attention beyond simple first aid.

“Any accident in which the total damages to all property affected is in excess of $500 must be reported by the operator within five days after the accident on forms provided by the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Boating Division.”

Resources:

thehour.com
By Jim Shay Updated 9:36 am, Friday, November 4, 2016

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