Suffolk County, NY - April 30, 2018 - Suffolk County Police on Sunday, April 29, 2018 rescued a man who was stranded on an island in Moriches Bay.
Stephen Termini was rowing a 10-foot dingy craft in Moriches Bay at approximately 5 p.m. when winds coming from the north blew him into Pattersquash Island. His craft became stranded in the marsh, and he was not able to free it. He had his safety equipment with him, including a whistle, distress flag, and flares. After a couple of hours, he deployed the flare.
Someone saw the flare and reported it to the park ranger booth, and the rangers notified the Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau.
Two boats from the Marine Bureau, Marine Mike and Marine Kilo, did a search of the area and spotted someone standing calf-deep in the marsh water, waving at them. The rescue boats approached, but the water was too shallow for them to reach the man, who was too unsteady from hypothermia to reach the boat unassisted. Officer Michael Cappiello from Marine Mike went into the water, and was able to escort him back to the boat.
Termini, 27, of Mastic was transported to Smith Point Marina, where he was observed and treated for hypothermia by members of the Mastic Beach Fire Department. Termini declined further medical treatment.