NJ Man Rescued From Long Island Boat Fire

By Ryan Bonner:

A New Jersey man was among three people rescued after the boat they were on caught fire in Long Island’s Great South Bay Saturday evening.

According to police, Matthew Biagi was operating a 2001 25-foot Chris Craft with two passengers on a trip from Oakdale to Fire Island when they noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. They attempted to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher but the extinguisher did not work. The three men put on personal flotation devices and jumped overboard into the 60-degree water, police said. They called 911 from a cellphone at about 6:55 p.m.

Suffolk County Police immediately notified the US Coast Guard and Fire Rescue and Emergency Services.

Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers Robert Femia and Daniel Smith, on patrol vessel Marine Kilo, responded to the location and pulled the men from the water at approximately 7:15 p.m. The officers then administered first aid for treatment of hypothermia. Marine Mike, Marine Juliet, and Marine 35 also responded.

Biagi, 41, of Forest Hills, his brother Joseph Biagi, 40, of Weehawken, N.J., and Richard Damaro, 42, of Forest Hills, were transported by Marine Kilo to Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau Headquarters at Timber Point in Great River, where they were checked by emergency medical personnel from Islip Exchange Ambulance. The three men refused further medical treatment.

The fire was extinguished by fire boats from the Blue Point and Bayport fire departments.

The vessel was transported to Timber Point for examination by the Arson Squad. No word yet on what caused the fire.

Photo 1 courtesy of Eric Author Blair, Photo 2 courtesy of Suffolk Police