NEW YORK – The Coast Guard, a commercial salvage company and a Good Samaritan were kept busy with two separate incidents of boats in distress near Shinnecock, N.Y., Saturday.
Around 9 a.m., the Coast Guard received a radio call from a boat carrying five people, which reported the vessel was taking on water in Peconic Bay, N.Y.
A rescue boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock, removed the five passengers from the sinking 24-foot vessel and a commercial salvage boat operator towed the vessel to the nearest safe haven where the crews dewatered it.
Station Shinnecock crews, along with a Good Samaritan, responded to another incident involving a vessel in distress around 6 p.m.
A 19-foot sailing vessel with six people aboard began taking on water then capsized near Shinnecock. The Coast Guard launched and arrived on scene within minutes. The Good Samaritan recovered four people from the water including two small children and the Coast Guard recovered the two remaining adults from the water.
The six people rescued were transported to Station Shinnecock where emergency medical personnel treated them.
“Today’s two cases could’ve ended a lot worse if it weren’t for the swift response from the Coast Guard crews, the commercial salvage company and the Good Samaritan,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Fusco. “Its important for mariners to make sure their vessel is seaworthy and outfitted with the required safety equipment prior to getting underway. Although incidents like today’s are rare, its important to know what to do in the event of an emergency before it happens.”
