A golden retriever was brought to safety off Nantucket after Captain Bill Tolstead and his crew broke away from a fishing outing near Codfish Park and hauled the dog onto their boat.
Here's what to know
According to Nantucket Current, the rescue effort began around 12:50 p.m. after a report said the dog had been carried into the water off Codfish Park on Nantucket's east end.
After that alert, Harbormaster Sheila Lucey said the Nantucket Police Department sent a crew to the park to assess the situation.
Her office also checked with charter boat captain and Select Board member Bob DeCosta to see whether any nearby fishermen could lend a hand.
"Bob immediately contacted Corey Gammill, who in turn contacted his fellow captain, Captain Bill Tolstead, and explained the situation," Lucey said.
"Without hesitation, Captain Bill and his crew diverted from fishing and began searching for the dog. They spotted people on the beach waving them toward the area, located the dog, and were able to safely get the dog aboard and bring it back to shore."
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
More background
Once a current takes over, reaching a person or animal from shore alone can become extremely difficult. In this case, a nearby fishing crew able to quickly change course became the crucial turning point.
"This is what the Nantucket maritime community is all about," Lucey said, according to Nantucket Current.
Lucey also praised DeCosta, Gammill, and Tolstead, calling their actions an "incredible act of kindness, compassion, and humanity."
What's being done?
The multi-pronged effort blended official coordination with local knowledge to save the dog.
"The quick response, teamwork, and willingness to drop everything to help truly made the difference," Lucey said, according to Nantucket Current.
"When there is someone — or something — in trouble on the water, people come together, communicate, and help."
Where can I learn more?
These related rescue stories show how quickly a routine outing can turn urgent.
• Maryland firefighters used ropes to pull a 100-pound dog from a 17-foot well.
• In South Padre Island, a dog trained as a surf lifeguard spotted a swimmer in distress.
• In Gulf Breeze, police freed an osprey trapped in sailboat rigging at a marina.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
