Captain Dies, Three Rescued After Tugboat Sinks Off Fire Island – Update
One particular person has died and three others had been rescued Saturday after their tug sank within the Atlantic Ocean one mile from Fire Island National Park, New York, the Coast Guard has confirmed.
At about 2:15 p.m. ET Saturday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound Command Center acquired notification from the Vessel Traffic Service in New York of the sinking of the Sea Bear, a 62-foot, 1000 horsepower tug with 4 individuals aboard, prompting an pressing marine info broadcast (UMIB) and the launch of a boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Fire Island.
The boatcrew arrived on scene at roughly 2:45 p.m. to find a particles area and three males huddled collectively in immersion fits. A fourth man from the tug was later discovered unresponsive by an excellent Samaritan vessel.
All 4 crewmen had been transported to an awaiting emergency crew on shore, the place the three survivors had been recognized with hypothermia. The fourth man was later pronounced deceased.
Suffolk County Police Department recognized the deceased because the on-duty captain, Donald Maloney. Maloney was discovered within the water by the tugboat “Willie Lander”, separated from the three surviving crewmembers, the Police Department stated. He was not sporting an immersion swimsuit, Department stated.
The survivors had been recognized by the SCPD as Lars Vetland, 43, of Staten Island, Jason Reimer, 38, of Leonardo New Jersey, and Rainer Bendixen, 22 of Bay Head, New Jersey, who had been taken to the Fire Island Coast Guard Station.
The tugboat was working in Moriches, New York on a dredging mission and was touring again to its base in Bayonne New Jersey when the accident occurred. Wittich Brothers Marine, Inc. owns the boat.
Water temperature on the time was reported to be about 40 levels Fahrenheit.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the deceased,” stated Capt. Edward Cubanski, commander Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. “I also applaud our dedicated and professional search and rescue crews, our port partners, local EMS, and police who responded on scene and ashore.”
Suffolk County Police Department is investigating the reason for the incident.
Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content material, insider opinions, and vibrant neighborhood discussions.
