Blumenthal Urges U.S. Coast Guard to Consider New Safety Measures Following Old Saybrook Boat Crash

[HARTFORD, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal today wrote a letter to the U.S. Coast Guard urging the service to consider installing additional safety measures around the Old Saybrook jetty following the death of three people after a boating crash on September 2.

“We cannot allow another tragedy at the Old Saybrook jetty before we act. I was pleased to see the Coast Guard considering additional risk mitigation measures to protect boaters in the area. I encourage you to expeditiously continue this investigation and to explore the best ways to install additional lighting around the jetty,” Blumenthal wrote.

Three people were killed, and several others were injured on the evening of September 2, when a 31-foot motorboat carrying 9 people struck the Old Saybrook jetty. Officials are aware of at least 4 crashes in that area over the last decade. Blumenthal’s letter asks the Coast Guard to consider better lighting in the area, along with other measures.

“There is no question that this area can and must be made safer. Better lighting is a good first step. Other measures should be considered as well. I welcome your suggestions and ideas from others. I pledge to pursue funding that may be necessary,” Blumenthal wrote.

Full text of Blumenthal’s letter can be found below:

September 13, 2024

Rear Admiral Wayne R. Arguin, Jr.

Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy

United States Coast Guard

The Douglas A. Munro Coast Guard Headquarters Building

2703 Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, SE

Washington, D.C. 20593

Dear Rear Admiral Arguin,

I write regarding the tragic boating accident that occurred in Old Saybrook on September 2. I appreciate the Coast Guard’s search and rescue efforts after the accident and urge the service to consider installing additional safety measures, including lighting, around the Old Saybrook jetty to prevent future tragedies.

Shortly after 9pm on September 2, a 31-foot motorboat carrying nine people returning from a Labor Day celebration on Block Island struck the Old Saybrook jetty, killing three individuals and injuring several others. While the investigation into this accident is still ongoing, reports have indicated that poor lighting around the jetty may have been a contributing factor. In fact, there have been previous crashes in this same location at night.3

We cannot allow another tragedy at the Old Saybrook jetty before we act. I was pleased to see the Coast Guard considering additional risk mitigation measures to protect boaters in the area.4 I encourage you to expeditiously continue this investigation and to explore the best ways to install additional lighting around the jetty.

There is no question that this area can and must be made safer. Better lighting is a good first step. Other measures should be considered as well. I welcome your suggestions and ideas from others. I pledge to pursue funding that may be necessary.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to working together to ensuring the safety of boaters in Connecticut.

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