OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. (WTNH) — What should’ve been a relaxing trip out on the water for an Old Saybrook family turned into something much different. Their sailboat sank, and Heather Emanuelson swam about four miles to get help.
The family took their sailboat out for the first time on Wednesday. Emanuelson, her husband, 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter are strong swimmers. However, they never expected they’d be spending more than three and a half hours in the water.
The family launched their sailboat near the Baldwin Bridge in Old Saybrook and they ran into trouble when they got out on the water.
“The current was really strong and the wind was pretty strong so our boat started to dip a little bit,” said Emanuelson.
The boat started taking on water. Emanuelson’s husband’s cell phone got wet and no longer worked. Fortunately they had life jackets.
“We just couldn’t swim strong enough to get anywhere,” Emanuelson said. “We weren’t making any progress.”
Though there were other boats on the water, no one heard the family’s calls for help. Emanuelson then left the kids with her husband and swam off to go find help. Finally, she had help getting to shore, but she says it was terrifying.
“What if nobody does pick us up? And maybe this is how I’m going to die here today – those thoughts were going through my mind. The waves were pretty choppy,” she said.
Emanuelson called for help. Her husband and kids made it safely out of the water. They were reunited at a restaurant in Old Lyme
“It was so emotional,” she said. “My husband and I first of all were in tears and just wanted to hug the kids.”
It was a long day, but Emanuelson is grateful they all made it back safely. She knew the importance of life jackets, but she learned what else to have on hand before the family goes out on the water.
“The biggest thing I learned is to be more prepared when we’re boating. I don’t think we’ll ever go out again without a whistle and some more communications, a flare,” she said.
The sailboat was found. Emanuelson says despite what happened, they will go sailing again.
