Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to busy weekend in Long Island Sound

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Zachary Hupp (archive).

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – After a busy weekend off of Long Island, the Coast Guard is reminding the boating public to be prepared and to practice safe boating during the active summer season.

In total, the Coast Guard and partner agencies responded to more than 20 cases of mariners in distress and 18 persons in the water wearing lifejackets after severe weather swept through western Connecticut and Long Island Sound.

In these cases, the Coast Guard rescued or assisted boaters across Long Island Sound ranging from taking on water, beset by weather, capsized, or disabled. In one case, a Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck boatcrew medically evacuated a female with an injured arm and safely transferred her to awaiting emergency medical services at Town Dock Pier in Huntington Bay.

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Assets and partner agencies included:

• A 45-foot Response Boat – Medium from Coast Guard Station New Haven
• A 45-foot Response Boat – Medium from Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck
• A 29-foot Response Boat – Small from Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck
• A 29-foot Response Boat – Small from Coast Guard Station Fire Island
• An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts
• An HC-144A Ocean Sentry aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts
• An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City
• Suffolk County Marine and Aviation
• Suffolk Fire Rescue Emergency Services
• Northport Fire Department
• Norwalk Police Department
• Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

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The Coast Guard recommends boaters check the forecasted weather conditions prior to departing shore. In many cases, weather conditions can quickly deteriorate and catch boaters off guard and underprepared.

“The marine environment is complex and ever changing. That’s why prior to getting underway, always check the weather and ensure all required safety equipment is onboard,” said Cmdr. Valerie Boyd, search and rescue coordinator, Sector Long Island Sound. “Many of the individuals are alive today because they were wearing lifejackets.”

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Aux. Michael Dubin (archive).

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve Strohmaier (archive).

For more information about how you can be prepared before heading out onto the water, visit the Coast Guard Auxiliary's Vessel Safety Check site.

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