Man attempts swim between Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard

Updated 3 pm

On Monday, Doug McConnell, 63, attempted to swim from Nantucket to Martha’s Vineyard, according to a story in the Inquirer and Mirror. 

It’s the second time McConnell has attempted the approximately 20-mile crossing. In 2019, his attempt was cut short just shy of Chappaquiddick because of dangerous rip currents, The Times reported. During that attempt, the Inquirer and Mirror reported he also suffered more than 100 jellyfish stings.

This year, McConnell was looking to achieve his goal, well aware that his 10-hour swim would be difficult due to strong currents and jellyfish, the Nantucket newspaper reported.

Around noon, the swimmer had already traveled more than 6 miles, from Eel Point Nantucket off the shores of Muskeget Island according to his GPS tracker and should arrive in Edgartown around 6 pm.

But by 2 pm, the GPS tracker showed McConnell suddenly in Edgartown. He could not immediately be reached for comment on what cut his effort short.

McConnell would have become the first person to complete the cross-island swim in more than 20 years.

Updated to indicate that McConnell’s attempt is over.