PORT TOWNSEND – A Washington State trooper rescued a man from a sailboat that ran aground on a sand bar in Port Townsend Wednesday night.

The 30-foot sailboat was reported in distress after 8 p.m. at Point Hudson. Troopers were joined by Port Townsend Police and East Jefferson Fire and Rescue, who could see a sailboat 150 yards from shore, leaning on its side with sails partially in the water at low tide. Responders could also see a man on board and called out to him but got no response.

That’s when Trooper Jamieson Hodgson waded into the knee-deep water. When he reached the vessel, Hodgson found the 40-year-old wet, partially clothed and shivering inside the cabin.

The man says he was taking the boat on its maiden voyage when it ran aground. He then tried to make it to shore in a dingy, but it capsized and he fell into the water. At that point he climbed back onto the sailboat where responders found him.

Trooper Hodgson secured the vessel and escorted the man back to shore where he was evaluated by aid crews, who later provided a courtesy ride to the American Legion.

(Photo courtesy WSP)