Dramatic Rescue: Teens Stranded at Sea Saved in Intense Search Effort
A distress call was made to emergency services shortly after 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, when a 23-foot boat experienced engine failure approximately three miles north of Cutchogue, according to a report from the Southold Town Police.
The boat's 18-year-old operator urgently informed dispatchers that two teenagers, a 16-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, had jumped into the water without wearing life jackets. The situation quickly escalated as the strong current and gusty winds in the area pushed the young swimmers further away from the disabled vessel.
In response to the emergency, over a dozen marine units from the local police and fire departments, including the Cutchogue Fire Department, Suffolk County Police Department, and a US Coast Guard helicopter, were deployed to search for the stranded teens. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, 911 dispatchers instructed the boat's operator to shoot flares in the direction where the teenagers were last spotted.
After an intense search effort, rescuers finally located the girl more than three miles east of the boat. The young boy was found shortly thereafter, approximately 200 yards away from her and a staggering four miles from shore.
The Cutchogue Fire Department reported that both swimmers were found in a state of extreme exhaustion. Despite their condition, they declined medical treatment from the attending medics. The relieved teenagers were soon reunited with their parents, who expressed immense gratitude for their children's safe return.
This harrowing incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety measures while boating, particularly the use of life jackets. Authorities commend the swift response of emergency crews and the collaborative effort of multiple agencies in successfully rescuing the distressed teenagers from a potentially perilous situation.