Fishermen swim about 5 miles to shore after boat capsizes

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Deputies with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office say two fishermen were able to swim ashore after their boat capsized on Sunday, July 14. Sheriff Chris Burke said 71-year-old Peter Keppler of Medina and 44-year-old William Wittman of Albion were about 5 miles offshore on a 1994 fishing boat that is 26 feet long.

“At some point, the vessel began taking on water and the bilge pump was not functioning,” Bourke said. “The two individuals equipped with life vests eventually ended up in the water. After being in the water for over five hours, the two individuals were able to successfully swim to shore at Knapp Shores in Kendall.”

According to the OCSO, the vessel was found partially submerged in Lake Ontario the next morning by Orleans County Sheriff Marine Division Deputies Ryan Flaherty and Jason Barnum. The vessel was found approximately 4 miles northeast of Bald Eagle Marina in the Town of Kendall near the Monroe-Orleans County line.

“Thankfully nobody was injured during the incident, and the occupants made it to shore safely,” Bourke said. “The U.S. Coast Guard was notified of the incident and are planning to remove the vessel as it was determined to be a hazard to other boaters.”

Orleans County Sheriff’s Marine Division was assisted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine.

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