Body of missing boater recovered

GROTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- Authorities have found the body of a woman who apparently went down with a sinking boat near the mouth of the Mystic River.

Officials tell News 8 divers were able to find Mary Patenaude's body within 10 minutes of searching the sunken wreckage.

It was about 2:30 Sunday afternoon when the 50 foot cabin cruiser "Priceless" hit a rock, plunging ten people into waters off Fishers Island. Nine made it to shore, along with the family dog.

Members of the Coast Guard and responders from several towns returned to the area Monday morning to search for the missing Pomfret woman.

Authorities say it appears that after the collision Patenaude went back into the cabin as the boat was sinking.

Patenaude's husband, David, owns the boat, but it's not clear if he was operating it at the time of the crash.

The Patenaude's own a package store in Pomfret. David Patenaude is the town's former first selectman.

Witnesses say the impact of crash split the boat in half, but the Old Mystic Fire Chief Ken Richards says that isn't the case.

"It's understanding that the vessel did not split, it's in one piece," Richards said. "It's sitting on the bottom, keel down. Little but of a collapse of a canopy that's on top, which was metal and canvas. But as far as we know, the boat's intact."

Divers noticed a gash in the boat, but it's not clear if it is from hitting the rock or from sinking.

New York State Police are handling the investigation because the incident happened in New York waters. The Coast Guard is coordinating what happens with the vessel.

Authorities say the boat was out of Westerly, Rhode Island.