Two dead following boat crash into breakwall in New Haven Harbor.

The U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed the tragic recovery of two bodies following the capsizing of a boat in New Haven Harbor, Connecticut. Authorities reported the incident, which took place on Thursday, after the 27-foot Sea Hunt center console vessel was found overturned against the harbor’s breakwall. Officials believe the crash occurred the previous evening, although it was only reported on Thursday morning when the boat was deemed overdue.

The two individuals on board had been presumed missing during a boat trip on Long Island Sound, which began between Stratford and Norwalk on Wednesday night. They had a dinner reservation at the Shell & Bones restaurant located in New Haven. Surveillance footage from a nearby marina confirmed that both individuals were on the vessel prior to the incident.

Crucial to the search efforts, one of the individuals’ cellphones received a signal from a nearby tower near the New Haven Harbor west breakwall shortly after 9:30 PM on Wednesday. In response, the U.S. Coast Guard deployed an HC-144 fixed-wing aircraft from Air Station Cape Cod to conduct an extensive aerial search over the area.

By Thursday evening, U.S. Coast Guard officials announced that the vessel had indeed been located on the breakwall, prompting a full-scale missing persons search involving Coast Guard boats, aircraft, and both state and local emergency responders. The Connecticut State Police dive team ultimately recovered the bodies later that day; the remains were transported to the West Shore Fire District’s firehouse in West Haven.

While the identities of the victims, a man and a woman, have not been released, the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently pronounced them deceased. Notably, neither of the victims was reportedly wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident, according to a representative from the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The incident underscores the importance of maritime safety, particularly the use of life jackets while boating. As investigations continue, local authorities are expected to review the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.