A man sailing in the East River hit a rock, forcing him to jump overboard into the water as the vessel began to take on water, authorities say.
The 59-year-old man was in his fishing boat between the RFK Triboro Bridge and Rikers Island when it hit the rock, according to police. He called for help, then jumped into the chilly 53-degree river when water started seeping into the boat.
An NYPD marine unit happened to be nearby doing a training drill near LaGuardia Airport, and officers rescued the man.
"It's very lucky for him we were so close on scene," said Det. Jeffery Haas. "When he left off the boat, when he saw us, it was only a matter of time, I'd say it was within a minute or two, before the boat was underwater."
The boater suffered slight hypothermia but refused medical attention, according to authorities. Police planned to secure the vessel and remove it from the river Saturday morning.
