Coast Guard Rescues 2 Boaters Taking On Water And Drifting To Sea Near Montauk

MONTAUK, NY — The Coast Guard came to the rescue of two boaters who were taking on water and drifting out to sea Saturday afternoon near Montauk Point, officials said.

According to a release from the United States Coast Guard, a boat crew rescued two individuals who were aboard a foldable boat; at approximately 3:30 p.m., watchstanders at Sector Long Island Sound received a distress call on channel-16 from an individual aboard a 10-foot foldable boat stating that they were taking on water and beginning to drift away from shore, a release said.

The foldable-boat had a small trolling motor being operated; however, it was not able to keep up with the current.

The command center issued a Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched a rescue crew from Station Montauk aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat around 3:40 p.m., the Coast Guard said.

A Good Samaritan about another vessel, the Bluefin, heard the UMIB and was able to find the boat in distress. The captain aboard the Bluefin handed the individuals a bucket to help dewater the boat and stayed to assist until the rescue crew arrived, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard boatcrew arrived on scene at 4:15 p.m., where the two boaters were pulled aboard the MLB, and transported to Station Montauk. The crewmembers were also able to pull the foldable boat aboard, the Coast Guard said.

At the station, it was discovered that the individual had called on the international hailing and distress channel using a portable, marine-band radio.

"The Coast Guard would like to remind all boaters to be ready for any emergency before heading out on the water, including a means of communication. The rescued boaters were able to call for help and were ultimately rescued because of their call for help on the international hailing and distress channel, channel-16, using a portable, marine-band radio," the Coast Guard said in the release.

Patch file photo.