Hamptons Bay, NY - May 8, 2016 - A Coast Guard Station Shinnecock rescue boatcrew rescues two boaters in distress near Moriches Inlet on Long Island, New York, Sunday.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound’s Command Center (SLIS) received a distress call from a disabled 19-foot recreational vessel, advising that they have lost power, their anchor was not holding and they requested Coast Guard assistance.
The vessel was transiting in Moriches Bay with two people aboard.
SLIS issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and directed Coast Guard Station Shinnecock to launch Coast Guard Station Moriches.
After the initial call the vessel was pushed out of the inlet, through breaking surf, causing one of the people aboard, a 41-year-old male, to sustained a back injury when he fell and struck his back on the side of the boat.
Station Moriches arrived at the entrance of the inlet but could not safely get out of the inlet due to weather conditions on-scene.
Station Shinnecock was directed to launch their 47-foot Motor Life Boat (MLB). A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) small boat in the area also launched with medically trained personnel who could assist.
Once on scene NOAA's small boat was unable to assist due to weather and draft concerns. They made multiple attempts to pass a line to the vessel before backing off to reevaluate.
The NOAA small boat lost sight of the distressed vessel when Station Shinnecock’s MLB arrived on scene.
The NOAA small boat returned to base and the MLB began searching for the vessel based on its last known position.
Station Shinnecock relocated the vessel and while attempting to come along side the rescue crew located a survivor in the water.
The rescue crew pulled the subject aboard and began treating him for symptoms of hypothermia.
The rescue crew located the second boater in the water due to a flashing strobe light on his life jacket. Once on board he was treated for symptoms of hypothermia and Station Shinnecock’s MLB departed en-route Oaklands Marina.
Station Shinnecock safely transported both of the rescued boaters to Oaklands Marina in Hampton Bays, New York, where Emergency Medical Services were waiting.
SLIS issued a Safety Marine Information Broadcast for the unmanned adrift vessel and briefed local salvage companies.