According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, on…

According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, on 7/27/2025, at about 2:25PM, the Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol Unit responded to a reported capsized vessel with an occupant in the water near Godfrey Point on Oneida Lake (Buoy 117). Prior to the Marine Unit arriving at the scene, a good Samaritan had pulled the occupant to safety from the water to their vessel. It was then learned there was a second occupant in the vessel that was unaccounted for and still drifting in the water. Shortly thereafter, a separate good Samaritan had located the other occupant in the water and successfully pulled him to safety. Both occupants were brought to shore and evaluated by EMS as a precaution.

The occupants of the vessel were identified as Joseph Davis (77) and Brian Palmer (66). Subsequent to the investigation, it was learned that at around 08:30 AM, Davis and Palmer were fishing on Oneida Lake in a 16 foot Starcraft vessel. Due to a mechanical failure and the rough waters, the vessel began taking on water and partially capsized. Both Davis and Palmer were in the water for over five hours before their vessel was located, partially capsized. Both occupants were wearing their life-jackets at the time of the incident, which inevitably, saved their lives.

The Sheriff's Office was assisted on scene by Cleveland Fire Department, Sylvan Beach Fire Department, and Vineall Ambulance. Special recognition and thanks to the good Samaritan's who assisted with rescuing the occupants from the water.