Police Rescue Three People from Great South Bay

Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers rescued three people from the waters of the Great South Bay after their boat ran out of fuel Friday evening.

Officers Christopher DeFeo and Robert Wylie received a distress call over the Marine VHF radio from a passerby reporting three people in the water near their disabled 17-foot outboard boat, police said.

RELATED: Police ID Men Rescued From Great South Bay Boat Fire

The officers responded to the location aboard patrol vessel Marine Juliet and found the owner, Christopher Williams, 18, of Brentwood, and two other male friends in the water attempting to pull their boat to shore with a rope about a half-mile south of Heckscher State Park at 6:48 p.m. The men were wearing flotation devices and told police they had been in the water for approximately 45 minutes.

The officers removed the three men from the water and towed their boat about two miles to the Heckscher boat ramp.

Officers conducted a safety equipment inspection, and cited Williams for failure to carry visual distress signals and for a discharged fire extinguisher, police said. The officers also issued warnings for other missing required safety equipment.

To help ensure your safety on the water, the Marine Bureau offered the following tips:

• Check all required safety equipment is on board and operable.

• Leave a float plan with someone on shore with your destination and expected time of return.

• Carry a cell phone or Marine VHF Radio in case you need emergency assistance.

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