Written by Liz Giegerich and Barbara Heins.
A family from Westchester County was aboard the motorboat that began taking on water and sunk off the coast of Great Captain's Island in Greenwich on Sunday.
Westchester County Police identified the Staar family — George Staar, 66, of Mount Vernon, NY and Paul Starr, 38, and his 5-year-old son Evan, of Hawthorne, NY — as those rescued from their sinking 25-foot Carolina Sportfish motorboat about 8:38 a.m. Sept. 29.
None were injured after marine and helicopter police units from Westchester County, Rye, Greenwich and the United States Coast Guard rescued them. Paul Staar called police after the boat started taking on water and sinking near Great Captain’s Island, about a mile off the Greenwich coast.
According to Westchester Police, the trio, wearing life jackets, jumped into the water. Greenwich Police previously said two swam to shore while the boat owner remained with his vessel.
Find out what's happening in Greenwichwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Marine Unit officers began dewatering operations and assisted Rye PD and Tow Boat US personnel in keeping the vessel from sinking. The vessel was towed back to its home port in Nassau County.
The Greenwich Police Marine Section initially determined " ... the vessel took on water because the two main through hull bolts securing the transmission to the engine, failed." Police said there doesn't appear to be any violations on the part of the boaters.
Find out what's happening in Greenwichwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
