Ian Duchemin, Ryan Britagna Obituary, Death – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has released the identities of two men whose bodies were recovered from the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound area in Old Saybrook on Friday. The men, Ian Duchemin, 25, from Oakdale, and Ryan Britagna, 24, from Waterford, tragically lost their lives in a boat crash that occurred earlier in the week. Another victim of the crash, 34-year-old Chris Hallahan from Westbrook, had already been identified shortly after the incident.
The fatal boat crash took place on Labor Day, around 9 p.m., when a boat carrying nine passengers struck a jetty along the Connecticut shoreline. The jetty is a structure that extends into the water, designed to protect the shore and reduce erosion, but in this case, it led to a deadly collision. Authorities discovered the 31-foot motorboat partially submerged and heavily damaged near a marina in Old Saybrook, where the Connecticut River flows into Long Island Sound.
Six passengers on board the boat survived the crash, though the operator of the vessel was last reported to be in critical condition. The group had been returning from a holiday trip to Block Island, Rhode Island, when the crash occurred. According to police reports, none of the passengers appeared to have been wearing life jackets at the time of the accident, raising concerns about safety practices on the boat.
The recovery and search efforts, which spanned several days, involved multiple agencies and organizations working together to locate the missing men. In addition to the Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) from DEEP, numerous other agencies contributed manpower, resources, and equipment to assist in the search.
The agencies involved included Middletown Police and Fire Departments, the U.S. Coast Guard, Sea Tow, Old Saybrook Police and Fire Departments, East Lyme Police, the Connecticut State Police Dive Team and Air Units, and fire departments from Guilford, Taftville, Goshen, Old Mystic, and Voluntown. Additional support came from Greenwich Police, Middlesex EMS, Tow Boat U.S., and the Old Lyme Harbormaster. Together, these organizations worked tirelessly to locate the missing victims and bring closure to their families.
This tragic incident has underscored the importance of boating safety, particularly the use of life jackets. While it remains unclear exactly what caused the crash, the lack of life jackets worn by the passengers may have contributed to the severity of the situation. Authorities are likely to continue investigating the circumstances leading up to the crash, including whether any safety regulations were violated or if alcohol or other factors played a role.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, communities in Connecticut are grieving the loss of Ian Duchemin, Ryan Britagna, and Chris Hallahan, who were all young men with much of their lives ahead of them. The boating community, in particular, has been reminded of the inherent risks of water travel and the importance of adhering to safety protocols.
As the investigation continues, authorities may provide more information about the crash and its causes, but for now, the focus remains on remembering the lives lost and supporting the families and friends who are dealing with an unimaginable loss. The search and recovery operation also highlighted the dedication and collaboration of local and state agencies, who worked long hours in difficult conditions to find the missing men.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictability of the water and the need for caution, even on seemingly routine trips. Boaters are encouraged to always wear life jackets and ensure that safety equipment is on board, as these precautions can make the difference between life and death in the event of an accident.
The boating crash on Labor Day has left a deep impact on the local communities in Oakdale, Waterford, and Westbrook, as well as the broader Connecticut shoreline area. It is a time of mourning for the lives lost, and a call to action for boaters to prioritize safety on the water.