Hovercraft Rescues Couple Trapped in the Mud at Centerport Pond

A hovercraft vessel, a helicopter and several responders helped rescue two people who were stuck in the mud in the middle of Mill Pond in Centerport on Tuesday night.

The Centerport Fire Department responded to the scene to find a man and woman who got their kayak stuck in the pond, about 100 yards off shore by Prospect Road, at 8:56 p.m.

Rescuers could not reach the kayak due to the thick mud which restricted boat access, fire officials said.

Centerport Fire Chief Brian Mark requested use of the West Islip Fire Department’s hovercraft vessel, which floats on air and can travel over mud, ice, and swampy areas where a conventional boat could not reach.

The hovercraft was able to reach the kayak in several minutes. The woman was rescued at 10:02 p.m. and the man was rescued at 10:07 p.m. They were both covered in dark mud, but were uninjured.

The rescue effort required help from the Suffolk Police Aviation unit, which assisted with a helicopter that provided light during the rescue.

Forty firefighters and emergency medical personnel, the Suffolk Police Marine Bureau and Huntington Harbormaster assisted in the rescue.

Rescuers responded to the scene with a heavy rescue truck, ambulance, rescue boat and fire police.

The rescue was under the command of Chief Brian Mark and Assistant Chiefs Tom Boyd and Rich Miltner.

Images and info courtesy of Steve Silverman

Photos:

• Photo 1: The rescued couple covered in mud with Centerport firefighters and rescue personnel.
• Photo 2: Centerport Fire Department water rescue team members gear up in exposure suits.
• Photo 3: Centerport Fire Department rescue truck and firefighters on the shore of the Mill Pond in Centerport.
• Photo 4: The West Islip Fire Department Hovercraft launches in the mud of the Mill Pond in Centerport to rescue trapped couple in kayak.
• Photo 5: Centerport and West Islip firefighters assist in bringing the Hovercraft to shore following the rescue.

• Photo 6: The team of firefighters from the Centerport and West Islip fire departments with the Hovercraft at the Centerport firehouse following the rescue.