New Kid on the Block

Coast Guard Station New London, Conn., recently welcomed a new 45-foot response boat at a formal handover and response boat ceremony held on Oct. 28. The vessel, showcased to attendees by a Station New London boat crew, is the first of its kind delivered to replace the station’s aging 41-foot utility boats, which have served for more than 25 years. This modern response boat will become a primary asset for local search-and-rescue missions, patrol operations, and other coastal safety duties.

Coast Guard Rescue Near Moriches: Four People Saved After Boat Is Swamped

Moriches, N.Y. — A Coast Guard response crew from Station Moriches rescued four people after their 21-foot recreational boat began taking on water and capsized roughly a half mile east of Moriches Inlet on the ocean side. Suffolk County dispatch received the initial report just after 6 p.m., noting the vessel was filling with water from an unknown source. The passengers had been attempting to bail the boat with buckets when a wave swamped the craft and caused it to overturn.

When the Coast Guard crew from Station Moriches arrived on scene, all four occupants were taking refuge on the overturned hull. The crew safely took the survivors aboard the Coast Guard boat and transported them back to Station Moriches, where emergency medical personnel evaluated them. They were subsequently taken to South County Medical Center for further assessment.

Search-and-rescue specialist Mark Averill of Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound praised the occupants’ actions, saying, “They did the right thing. They were wearing life jackets and they stayed with the boat.” Remaining with a capsized vessel and wearing personal flotation devices significantly improves the chances of survival and simplifies recovery for rescuers.

A Suffolk County Police marine unit remained at the scene with the capsized vessel until TowBoatU.S. recovered the boat. This incident highlights the ongoing risks recreational boaters can face on open water and the importance of preparedness and proper safety gear.

Rescue After a Fall from the Ferry Street Bridge

New Haven, Conn. — In the early morning hours, a Coast Guard boat crew from Station New Haven responded to a report of a person in the Quinnipiac River. Sector Long Island Sound received the alert after a good Samaritan notified New Haven Fire Rescue that cries for help had been heard from the area of the Ferry Street Bridge at about 2:30 a.m.

The Coast Guard rescue boat crew arrived within minutes and safely retrieved the man from the water. The crew brought him ashore, where he was reported to be intermittently conscious when transferred to local emergency medical services for evaluation and care. The prompt response and coordination among bystanders, local fire rescue, and Coast Guard units were critical in bringing the situation to a positive conclusion.

Community Safety and the Role of Response Boats

These recent rescues off the Connecticut and New York coasts underline the vital role that modern response boats and well-trained crews play in maritime safety. Upgrading older vessels with newer, more capable response boats improves response times, enhances crew safety, and increases operational capability across a range of missions, including search-and-rescue, medical evacuations, and assistance to distressed vessels.

Boaters are reminded to follow common-sense safety practices: always wear a life jacket, carry appropriate communication and signaling devices, check weather and sea conditions before heading out, and maintain a well-serviced bilge system and emergency pumps. In emergencies, staying with the vessel when it is capsized or disabled can make rescue faster and safer for everyone involved.

This article originally appeared in the Connecticut and New York Home Waters section of the January 2011 issue.