Teddy's Failed Rescue Attempt

The Boston Herald tells of the daring rescue mission attempted by Ted Kennedy on Sunday.

U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy tried to save six fishermen stranded on a breakwater near the Kennedy compound yesterday, but had to turn back and hand the rescue off to the fire department.

Kennedy called the Hyannis Fire Department around 11 a.m. when he saw the fishermen on the breakwater as waves up to 5 feet high crashed over it and winds gusted to 35 mph. The 69-year-old senator took out his whaler and got within earshot of the fishermen, but headed back because it was too dangerous, Hyannis Fire Capt. Craig Farrenkopf said.

"The senator was just coming into the dock on a whaler, he told us it was rough out there," Farrenkopf said.

Farrenkopf said Kennedy is familiar with the water and "thought he would do the right thing."

"He realized it was beyond his realm of handling the incident," Farrenkopf said.

The men were fishing a couple hundred yards off shore near the Kennedy compound when the incoming tide stranded them.

Firefighters made three trips to the breakwater, rescuing the fishermen two at a time. The fishermen were treated for minor hypothermia.

Under normal circumstances, a senator involved in a dramatic rescue attempt would make for some good press. In this case, however, I think the story would have been better left untold.

It's best not to venture into any territory that includes Ted Kennedy and water. The images it conjures up only serve to unearth buried memories of that night in July of 1969 when Mary Jo Kopechne drowned after Teddy drove the car they were in off a bridge.


In Sunday's incident, Hyannis Fire Capt. Craig Farrenkopf said that Teddy tried to save the six fishermen because he "thought he would do the right thing."

I'm sorry, but that makes me gag.

What's the deal? Is Teddy trying to atone for his sins? Is he hoping to soothe his troubled conscience after failing to report to authorities the accident that killed twenty-eight year old Mary Jo Kopechne?

Even though over thirty-six years have passed since Teddy left her trapped to die in the car he submerged in Poucha Pond, the incident is not forgotten. Every time Teddy and a body of water are connected in any way, all of the unanswered questions about Mary Jo's death resurface.

Capt. Farrenkopf said, "[Teddy] realized it was beyond his realm of handling the incident."

Based on his track record, I'd say that was a wise decision. Unlike in 1969, Teddy had the good sense to call the Hyannis Fire Department this time. They successfully rescued the men.

Why didn't Teddy do the same for young Mary Jo and call for emergency assistance immediately following the accident?

In July of 1969, he made the choice NOT to do the right thing. He didn't call for help. Kennedy did not even report the accident to authorities. They finally located him after the car and Mary Jo's body were discovered the following morning.

And what punishment did Teddy receive for his crime?

He never got to be President. He's been stuck in the purgatory of the U.S. Senate ever since.