NEW YORK - Coast Guard Station New York rescued eight people aboard a disabled boat near Sheepshead Bay, New York, Monday evening.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station New York, received a call via a cell phone from the captain of the 22-foot vessel at 5 p.m. stating the vessel was disabled and adrift and they were unable to anchor. Station New York immediately launched a crew aboard a 45-foot Response Boat – Medium and arrived on scene at 5:08 p.m.Crewmembers safely transferred the eight people from the disabled vessel to the station’s boat and placed the disabled vessel in tow. The vessel was transferred to local commercial salvage and the eight passengers were safely transferred ashore.“The captain of the disabled boat called Station New York directly and requested help," said Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Starace, Sector New York’s Command Duty Officer. “Because they had a cell phone onboard and called for assistance, the boat crew was able to respond in less than 10 minutes.”The Coast Guard reminds boaters that Cell phones are important tools, but mariners should not rely solely on cell phones to reach the Coast Guard.
All mariners are encouraged to maintain a properly working VHF-radio onboard their vessel or person at all times. Any boaters that find themselves in distress should contact the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16.