2 Surfers Rescued From Treacherous Seas, 8 to 10' Waves: Police

MORICHES, NY — Two surfers were rescued from treacherous seas in the Atlantic Ocean south of Moriches Inlet Sunday, police said.

According to Suffolk County Police, the incident took place Sunday at 6:30 p.m. a half mile south of the inlet, when Suffolk County Police marine bureau officers rescued two men stranded on a disabled personal watercraft in 8 to 10' seas and high winds.

Michael Stack, 37, and James Trowbridge, 54, both of Brookhaven, "entered the ocean to surf the large storm-generated waves by towing a hydrofoil surfboard with Stack’s 2014 Yamaha WaveRunner, and, while surfing, their tow line became wrapped in the intake of their vessel, disabling it offshore at 6:30 p.m.," police said.

Stack called TowBoatUS of Moriches for assistance; TowBoatUS assessed the inlet conditions and determined that they would be unable to respond due to the heavy seas and breaking waves, police said.

TowBoatUS immediately notified the United States Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound Command Center in New London, CT, and the Coast Guard notified the Suffolk Police Marine Bureau, who immediately dispatched Marine Mike, a 33' rescue boat assigned to the Moriches area. Marine Mike entered the ocean through New Inlet and returned via Moriches Inlet during the rescue.

Marine Mike, piloted by Officer Kevin Comiskey and crewed by Officers Rob Daniels and Chris Maggio, proceeded to the inlet. After evaluating the conditions, based on their experience and the capabilities of their boat, the officers attempted to assist the stranded men; the heavy winds, high seas, and ebb conditions were pushing wave heights to a steep 8 to 10', right at the limits of Marine Mike boat, police said.

Marine Mike successfully entered the ocean and located the disabled craft, took the two men onboard and the watercraft in tow, and made a transit of the dangerous inlet to return to the relative safety of Moriches Bay, police said.

In Moriches Bay, the crew joined TowBoatUS of Moriches, who took the two men onboard and the watercraft in tow back to their home port in Brookhaven, police said.

Stack and Trowbridge were uninjured in the incident, police said.

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