Long Island Lifeguards Save Boater In Distress

SHIRLEY, NY – Two lifeguards at Smith Point Beach rescued a boater who became stranded in a treacherous area Monday afternoon.

The Smith Point Lifeguards website shared the story:

At approximately 1:45 p.m., while training rescue techniques and patrolling on wave runners, captains Garrett Thibodeau and Pat Scribner noticed a boater stranded near the new inlet. The boater waved to the Waverunner-Rescue-Unit and both lifeguards responded immediately. It was clear that the boater was in distress and needed help. It was a very tricky approach as waters and currents at the inlet (which openedduring Hurricane Sandy) are shallow and treacherous. It could potentially be deadly for an untrained or inexperienced boater.

Thibodeau and Scribner anchored the boat and secured the boater on the back of the wave runner. South Country’s EMT and the Suffolk County Police Department's Marine Bureau were on the bay side awaiting the contact with the boater. The Waverunner-Rescue-Unit was able to approach and secure the rescue. Lifeguards then transported the boater to the South County EMT water unit for further evaluation.

"We were at the right place at the right time," Scribner said of the rescue.