(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers rescued three people from the water of the Great South Bay after their boat ran out of fuel on Friday, July 10.
Officers Christopher DeFeo and RobeMarine Bureau Officers Rescue Three People from Great South Bayrt Wylie received a distress call over the Marine VHF radio from a passerby reporting three people in the water near their disabled 17′ outboard boat.
Suffolk County Police rescued three people from the water of the Great South Bay after their boat ran out of fuel on Friday, July 10. Photo Credit: SCPD.
The officers responded to the location aboard patrol vessel Marine Juliet and found the owner, Christopher Williams, 18, of Brentwood, and two other male friends in the water attempting to pull their boat to shore with a rope approximately ½ mile south of Hecksher State Park at6:48 p.m. The men were wearing flotation devices and stated to police they had been in the water for approximately 45 minutes.
The officers removed the three men from the water and towed their boat approximately two miles to the Hecksher State Park boat ramp.
Officers conducted a safety equipment inspection, and cited Williams for failure to carry visual distress signals and for a discharged fire extinguisher. The officers also issued warnings for other missing required safety equipment.
To help ensure your safety on the water, The Marine Bureau offers several tips.
- Check all required safety equipment is on board and operable.
- Leave a float plan with someone on shore with your destination and expected time of return.
- Carry a cell phone or Marine VHF Radio in case you need emergency assistance.
