Boater Dies After Rescue From Cape Island

A woman who was rescued last week after being stranded on a Cape Cod island for two days following a boat fire has died.

Cynthia Sullivan, 72, reportedly died from her injuries on Thursday, October 23, a day after the rescue, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser page set up to support her and her family after the incident.

Cynthia Sullivan, along with her husband Patrick and son Tyler, were rescued off Naushon Island, Massachusetts on Wednesday morning, October 22, after they survived a boat fire Monday, October 20 and became stranded on the island without phones or a radio.

The family had departed from Eel Pond in Falmouth in their 30-foot boat on Friday, October 17. They had reportedly intended to remain anchored between Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard throughout the weekend before returning Tuesday afternoon.

They woke to a vessel fire Monday night. They abandoned ship and swam to the nearby island, where they found a barn for shelter.

A concerned family member reported the vessel overdue after they did not return Tuesday evening. Coast Guard Station Woods Hole and Coast Guard Cutter Razorbill, Falmouth Police Department, Falmouth Harbormaster and volunteers from Naushon Trust searched throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday morning for the vessel. Calls to the crew of the vessel went straight to voicemail and cell phone pings could not give an accurate location.

While walking along the beach Wednesday morning, October 22, the son located the vessel’s marine radio which had washed ashore. The family was then able to put out a MAYDAY call that was received by the Coast Guard.

Volunteers from Naushon Trust responded and administered first aid to the family. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew from Air Station Cape Cod transported the family to Cape Cod Hospital for care.

Chris Sullivan, a son of Cynthia’s who was not involved in the incident, told The Boston Globe she had suffered from severe hypothermia and smoke inhalation.

Chris also told the Globe Cynthia’s husband, Patrick, was being treated for burns at a Boston hospital, but was awake and breathing on his own.