Coast Guard Rescues Man After Kayak Overturns

CAPTREE STATE PARK, NY - A 58-year old man who was hanging onto a mooring buoy after his kayak overturned near Captree State Park was rescued early Tuesday morning, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

At about 5 a.m., a Good Samaritan who was fishing heard a man yelling for help and immediately called 911.

Police then notified the Coast Guard who issued an urgent marine information broadcast and sent a rescue boat crew from Station Fire Island to the area.

Members of the West Islip Fire Department found the man from land and they were able to help lead the rescue boat crew to him.

The 29-foot Response Boat arrived on scene at 5:15 a.m., and found the man clinging to a mooring buoy.

The man was suffering from mild hypothermia after spending over an hour in the water when the crew took him aboard the rescue boat and brought him back to Station Fire Island. They arrived at the station at 5:20 a.m.

"Paddlers need to be prepared for the changing water conditions and temperatures," Captain Andrew Tucci, commander Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound said. "Thankfully this man was wearing his lifejacket. It saved his life."