Coast Guard rescues kite surfer near Fire Island, NY

united states coast guard 

News Release  

October 8, 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 kite surfer near Fire Island, NY

NEW YORK — Crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Fire Island rescued a kite surfer in distress off Democrat Point, Long Island, New York, Sunday.

At approximately 11:15 a.m., watchstanders at Station Fire Island received a call from West Islip Police Department advising them that a kite surfer was adrift after becoming tangled in the kite lines.

A Station Fire Island boatcrew aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium was underway nearby and arrived on scene within five minutes. The crewmembers safely brought the kite surfer aboard.

The kite surfer was wearing a wetsuit but did not have a life jacket on. The individual had no medical concerns and was brought back to Station Fire Island.

The Coast Guard reminds boaters to always wear a life jacket. The number one cause of boating fatalities is drowning, most often by sudden, unexpected entry into the water. Wearing a life jacket increases the chances of surviving a boating accident.

-USCG-