CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard, Customs and Boarder Protection and local emergency responders rescued a family of four after their 25-foot Sea Ray hit the Summerville Pier late Thursday night on the Genesee River in Rochester, New York.
Shortly after 11 p.m., a watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, New York, received a call from the local 911 dispatch stating that a fisherman reported that a boat had hit the Summerville Pier.
Coast Guard Station Rochester, New York, was notified and launched a 25-foot response boat while a Coast Guard member set out on foot to the pier to assist the fisherman who was helping the injured family.
The crew of the response boat arrived on scene along with crews and assets from local emergency responders. Assisted by a local EMT, the Coast Guard crew transported two females by stretcher back to Station Rochester where they were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by a team from emergency medical services.
The CBP vessel transported an adult male on a stretcher to EMS on shore. A younger male only sustained minor injuries.
It was determined that the boat was traveling at a high rate of speed based on the position of the boat resting on the pier. A Monroe County Sheriff’s boat later pulled the Sea Ray off the pier.
The Coast Guard boat crew verified that all aids to navigation in the area were working properly and the accident is currently under investigation.
“Boaters need to use caution while operating at night and during times of poor visibility – use a lookout,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Pike, the officer of the day at Coast Guard Station Rochester. “Knowing the area you are going to be boating in is also key. Being aware of potential hazards on and in the water can go a long way to staying safe on the water.”
