'Mayday!' 4 People, 2 Dogs Rescued From Boat Fire On LI Sound: PD

NORTH FORK, NY —Four people and two dogs were rescued from a boat fire on the Long Island Sound Saturday, police said.

Southold Town police said the fire broke out at 3:51 p.m., on the Sound, one mile north of Plum Gut. Two 63-year-olds and two 24-year-olds, all of Woodmere, were aboard the vessel.

A "mayday" call on VHF channel 16 was transmitted about a "boat in distress" on the Long Island Sound, with latitude and longitude information that placed the vessel about two miles north of Plum Island /Plum Gut, east of Orient Point, police said.

The 52-foot boat was reported to be on fire with four people and two dogs onboard, police said.

The Southold Town police department's marine patrol immediately proceeded to the area, while additional resources were dispatched, including the Orient Fire Department, the United States Coast Guard, Sea Tow, and Connecticut agencies. The Southold Police department's marine "Marine 2," operated by Harbormaster Joseph O'Leary, arrived at the scene and found the vessel smoking with a fire onboard, police said.

Firefighters from the Old Saybrook Fire Department boarded the vessel and battled any remaining smoke and fire following the activation of the boat's Halon extinguisher system, police said.

The Plum Island Ferry and Cross Sound Ferry were also standing by to provide assistance if needed, police said.

Sea Tow towed the vessel, "The Cure," to Old Field Marina in Old Saybrook, CT; the Southold Police department's marine unit brought those rescued— all refused medical treatment — back to Strong's Marine in Mattituck, police said.

Those on the water recounted the experience.

Tedd Webb, the offshore lighthouse cruise narrator for the Cross Sound Ferry, took photos from the wheelhouse of the SeaJet. "We were returning to Plum Gut when we heard the 'mayday' call. Our skipper was immediately diverted to the direction of the call, about two miles north of Plum Gut," he said. "As first on scene, we stood by until rescue vessels arrived. I am constantly impressed by the professionalism and skills and crew of SeaJet," Webb added; he's sailed with them for 14 years.