Officers Rescue Massachusetts Fisherman from Icy Waters

Body camera footage shows dramatic rescue of man who fell into frigid waters between fishing vessels

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Police in New Bedford, Massachusetts responded to a 911 call on Wednesday morning about a fisherman who had fallen into the freezing waters between two fishing vessels and was unable to pull himself out. Bodycam video shows officers rushing to the scene, grabbing hold of the victim, and working together to pull him from the frigid water and transport him to the hospital, where he is expected to recover.

Why it matters

This dramatic rescue highlights the quick thinking and coordinated efforts of local law enforcement to save a life in a dangerous situation. The incident underscores the hazards that fishermen and others can face working on the water, especially in cold weather conditions.

The details

According to the New Bedford Police Department, dispatch received a 911 call around 6:30 a.m. for a well-being check in the area of Fish Island. The 911 caller, later identified as the victim, had fallen into the freezing water between two fishing vessels and was unable to pull himself out. Officer Kenneth Almeida was the first to respond and can be seen on body camera video grabbing hold of the victim's hand and reassuring him that he wasn't letting go. Other officers then arrived and together they were able to pull the victim from the frigid water. The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment and is expected to be okay.

  • The 911 call came in around 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2026.
  • The rescue operation took place that same morning.

The players

Officer Kenneth Almeida

The first officer to respond to the scene and initiate the rescue.

Officers Mackenzie Sylvester, Abraham Nazario, Andy Soares, and Jesse Branagan

Additional officers who arrived on the scene and worked together to pull the victim from the water.

The Victim

A fisherman who had fallen into the freezing waters between two fishing vessels and was unable to pull himself out.

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What they’re saying

“We commend all of the responding officers for their quick thinking, teamwork, and decisive action. Their coordinated efforts ensured the fisherman was quickly located and safely removed from the freezing water so he could receive medical care.”

— New Bedford Police Department (Social media post)

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that fishermen and others who work on the water can face, especially in harsh winter conditions. The heroic actions of the New Bedford police officers in this case likely saved a life and highlight the importance of well-trained emergency responders who can act quickly and decisively in life-threatening situations.