Connecticut boaters pulled to safety from waters off Orient

Two Connecticut boaters had to evacuate a sinking vessel in Gardiners Bay near Orient Sunday before they were located and towed to safety, Southold Town police said.

The boat was carrying two people — identified by police as James Moran, 56, and Doreen Marino, 52, both of Meriden —  and began taking on water off Long Beach Point just before 3 p.m., forcing the two to evacuate into a dinghy.

Southold Bay Constables responded to the distressed vessel and pulled the man and woman aboard their boat, while a Sea Tow boat captain worked to keep the boat afloat.

The boaters were brought ashore and escorted to Cross Sound Ferry for a return trip home, police said.

No injuries were reported.