York Harbor Water Rescue: One Pulled from Overturned Vessel

October 17, 2025 — by Scanner Alerts Media

YORK HARBOR, Maine — At approximately 12:01 p.m. on Friday, fire department units were dispatched to a report of an overturned vessel with one person in the water at the mouth of York Harbor.

Within minutes, Rescue Boat 1, under the command of Captain Dave Butler, responded to the scene. According to the department’s account, the vessel was quickly located, and the crew rescued the individual who had been holding on to the overturned craft. The subject was brought to shore and evaluated by EMS.

The department noted its appreciation for the coordinated, on-water response by Captain Dave Butler, Firefighter Aidan Martin, and a Maine Marine Patrol Officer working aboard Rescue Boat 1 during the incident. Officials stated that the teamwork and rapid actions contributed to a safe rescue outcome.

A total of 11 Fire and EMS personnel responded to the harbor call. Listed units and supervisors included: C-1 Chief Apgar, CAR-1 Chief Welch, SQUAD 2, RESCUE BOAT 1, and AMBULANCE 1. No additional vessels or persons in the water were reported in the department’s summary.

The department reported that the patient assessment occurred upon return to shore and that EMS completed the initial medical evaluation at that time. No further medical details were provided in the release, and no additional hazards were cited beyond the overturned vessel report.

Officials emphasized that this operation reflects the value of regular training and coordination among local responders. The department trains every Thursday evening on firefighting and all-hazards skills and conducts bi-weekly Wednesday night sessions throughout the summer as part of a dedicated water rescue training program. The agency cited this training cadence in the context of the deployment and retrieval work carried out during today’s incident.

This article includes only the facts provided by the department regarding dispatch time, location, units and personnel, the rescue sequence, and subsequent EMS evaluation. No additional information on vessel recovery, cause, or disposition was included in the release.

Credit: York Fire Department