NEW YORK - Coast Guard Station Fire Island, Suffolk County Marine and Suffolk County air responded to a report of an overdue kayaker in Babylon, New York, near Gilgo State Park, Sunday.
While conducting search patterns near Fire Island Inlet, Station Fire Island located the distressed kayaker and rescued him from the water.
The kayaker was not wearing a lifejacket, and reported that he had been treading water for approximately 45 minutes.
“It’s very important to wear a lifejacket whenever you’re on the water,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Crociata, a Station Fire Island crewmember. “The kayaker wasn’t wearing one and he could have died because of it.”
The Coast Guard reminds all boaters of the importance of wearing a life jacket when navigating aboard recreational vessels and personal watercraft. For more information on how to choose the appropriate lifejacket, please download this brochure.
No injuries have been reported.