WOODS HOLE, Mass. (AP) — A family was rescued Wednesday by the Coast Guard off Cape Cod after their 30-foot pleasure boat caught fire and they were forced to swim to a small island where they sheltered in a barn for almost two days.

When the mother, father and their son didn’t return as expected Tuesday night, a relative contacted authorities. The Coast Guard, along with the Falmouth police and Falmouth Harbormaster, began a search throughout the night. Calls to the family went to voicemail.

On Wednesday, the son was able to use the boat’s marine radio, which washed up on the island, to make a mayday call to the Coast Guard. Soon after, the family was rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter from Naushon Island and flown to an area hospital.

“Quick thinking and having quality equipment allow

See Full Page