Family Rescued After Boat Fire Off Cape Cod

A family of three — a father, mother and adult son — was rescued after a fire aboard their 33-foot boat, Third Wave, forced them to abandon ship and swim to Naushon Island Monday night. They spent more than 30 hours on the privately owned island without food or reliable communications; relatives reported them overdue Tuesday after the vessel, which had departed Eel Pond in Falmouth on Friday and was due back Tuesday, failed to return. The son found the boat’s marine radio washed ashore and used it to call for help on Wednesday, prompting Naushon Trust volunteers to locate the family and administer first aid. Searches were conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, Falmouth police and the Falmouth harbormaster alongside volunteers. A Coast Guard helicopter airlifted the three to Cape Cod Hospital/Hyannis, where they were treated for burns, smoke inhalation and exposure; at least one family member was reported in critical condition. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the onboard fire.