The U.S. Coast Guard has reported that a 60-foot Princess yacht collided with a 25-foot commercial fisherman’s vessel, southwest of Watch Hill Lighthouse. The collision occurred early Tuesday morning at approximately 10:00 a.m. The collision caused the fisherman’s vessel to capsize, and the 81-year-old fisherman aboard the vessel sadly died.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased fisherman. However, the WesterlySun.com has reported that the fisherman’s friends at Walker’s Dock have identified him as Walter Krupinski, a commercial rod-and-reel fisherman who apparently sold his catch at Stonington Town Dock. The identity of the yacht operator has also not been released, but the operator was reportedly not injured. The Coast Guard escorted the yacht away from the collision scene.
An investigation is underway but sea conditions were rough at the time of the collision. The investigation will be conducted by Westerly police and officers from the State Department of Environmental Management’s law enforcement division. Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Mr. Krupinski.
