Coast Guard rescues boaters in distress near Astoria Park, N.Y.

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 08/03/2017 08:45 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

August 3, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 1st District PA Detachment New York
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment New York
Office: (212) 514-4291
After Hours: (917) 703-0983

Coast Guard rescues boaters in distress near Astoria Park, N.Y.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Seanog Mullan and Fireman Adam Arana, crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Kings Point, responded to a vessel taking on water with four people aboard near Astoria Park, New York, August 3, 2017. While on routine patrol, a crew aboard a 29-foot response-boat small II from Station Kings Point noticed a person aboard a 16-foot pleasure craft vessel waving their hands and requesting help. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Vardakis)

Editors' Note: Click on image to download high resolution version.

NEW YORK -- A Coast Guard crew responded to a vessel taking on water with four people aboard near Astoria Park, New York, Thursday.

While on routine patrol, a crew aboard a 29-foot response-boat small II from Coast Guard Station Kings Point noticed a person aboard a 16-foot pleasure craft vessel waving their hands and requesting help.

The boatcrew approached the boat and the operator stated they were taking on water due to several waves crashing over the bow of the boat.

Two boarding team members went aboard the pleasure craft and discovered approximately 50 gallons of water in the bilge. Three people were transferred to the Coast Guard smallboat while the boarding team and operator continued de-watering operations using a pump and bucket until the boat was successfully dewatered. The boat and four people were then escorted to Glen Cove Marina with no reported injuries.

"This case illustrates the importance of getting underway with all required items such as lifejackets, fire extinguishers and means of calling for assistance when in distress,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Vardakis, a member of Station Kings Point. “Had we not been on scene and the vessel took on additional water, this case may have had a different outcome." 

 

-USCG-