By Ken Valenti

WESTPORT–A stranded mariner was rescued from the deck of a 34-foot sailboat by a Coast Guard helicopter crew after running aground west of Seymour Rock near Westport early Sunday morning as a storm approached, the Coast Guard said.

Upon receiving the call, Coast Guard Station New Haven conferred with the Norwalk Police Department and Sea Tow, a membership-based marine assistance company, and determined that the stuck boat, Island Sky, could not be freed because of weather and sea conditions, according to a statement from Coast Guard’s Public Affairs Detachment in New York.

“Due to an approaching storm and deteriorating conditions, Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Cape Cod to assist,” the Coast Guard statement read.

While the helicopter was on its way, the boat was pushed closer to shore. It came to rest about 25 feet from a rock jetty, but was unable to reach land.

“The aircrew safely hoisted one person from the vessel and transported them to awaiting emergency medical services on shore,” the Coast Guard said. “The vessel later reportedly refloated and was escorted to port by the Coast Guard. No injuries were reported.”