Fisherman saved after 9 hours in water

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - Five members of U.S. Coast Guard rescued a 51-year-old man who fell overboard about three miles west of Point Judith, Rhode Island, Wednesday.

“It’s a big, big feeling of accomplishment knowing that whenever you pull somebody out of the water and they’re still alive, it’s a great feeling to know that you helped somebody out,” said Petty Officer Justin Wood of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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Joseph Gross's unoccupied boat ran aground in South Kingstown and was found around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on Green Hill Beach, prompting a nine-hour search overnight.

Gross, of Westerly, was found in the water by the Coast Guard at 3:37 a.m. and was taken to South County Hospital for Hypothermia, but is expected to be fine.

“This is what we do. This is what we train for, this is what we look for,” added Wood.

It’s not clear yet why Gross fell off board, but officials said he was not wearing a life jacket at the time.

“When we went to go grab him and bring him on board, he just says ‘Please help me, I don’t have any strength, I’m very weak. So, if you can grab me up, and put me up as fast as possible’ And that’s what we did,” explained Petty Officer Chris DiGiovanni of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Gross said he was the only person on board the boat. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the fall.

Officials said he was sailing through the Point Judith area from the Pawcatuck River in Westerly.