U.S. Coast Guard Rescues 4 From Disabled Yacht Adrift In More Than 12-Foot Seas Off Of Fire Island

FIRE ISLAND, NY — Four people were rescued unharmed on Saturday night from over 12-foot seas in a disabled 42-foot motor yacht adrift three miles southwest of Moriches Inlet, off Fire Island, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

At around 5:45 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound received a report via VHF that the vessel Proudfoot was disabled, and it was reported that local police and responders were unable to help due to hazardous weather conditions, according to officials.

Sector Long Island Sound watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock, officials said.

The boat crew later returned to the station due to the degrading sea state, and an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod arrived on scene at around 8:30 p.m., according to officials.

All four people, including two males and two females, were hoisted from the water by around 9:42 p.m., and the people were taken to the awaiting emergency medical services at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton, officials said.

Coast Guard Lt. Jonathan Roth, a member at Sector Long Island Sound, said that the "challenging nature" of the "rescue underscored the importance of reliable forms of communication and required safety equipment, including life jackets."

“These are instrumental in getting the mariner to safety and are a must-have on any voyage, any time of year, and in all weather," he added.

The vessel, "Proudfoot," washed ashore Sunday morning, farther up island, at Democrat Point, according to the Coast Guard.

The state's Department of Environmental Conservation and local police were on scene and reported the boat remains intact with no risk of pollution, officials said.

The owner has contracted a commercial salvage company to recover the vessel pending improved weather and safety conditions, according to officials.