Marine Incident Response Team Activated for Medical Emergency Near Moriches Inlet

Just after 6:30 a.m. this morning the Center Moriches Fire Department along with the Moriches Bay Marine Incident Response Team (MIRT) were activated for a reported medical emergency aboard a vessel in the Atlantic Ocean east of Moriches Inlet.

A passing boater contacted 911 to report a 17-foot center console adrift in the ocean with an unresponsive male onboard. The Good Samaritan boater immediately secured a towline to the vessel and began towing it toward the Coast Guard Station in East Moriches.

Within minutes of the activation fire department marine units were underway. The Eastport Fire Department marine unit intercepted the Good Samaritan vessel in the East Cut and transferred the unresponsive male from the center console onto their rescue boat.

Rescue personnel quickly evaluated the patient and determined he was pulseless. CPR was immediately initiated while the vessel proceeded toward shore.

At the same time, Center Moriches Marine 26 responded to the reported location where the boat had been found to verify that no additional victims were in the water or in need of assistance.

The Eastport marine unit transported the patient to the U.S. Coast Guard Station in East Moriches where EMS personnel were standing by. The patient was then transferred to a waiting ambulance for transport to a local hospital.

This incident highlights the critical partnership between the United States Coast Guard and the Moriches Bay Marine Incident Response Team. Local fire department marine units were able to rapidly respond, provide medical intervention, and bring the patient to shore for continued treatment while maintaining constant communication with U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound.

Marine units from the East Moriches, Mastic, and Mastic Beach Fire Departments responded to the incident, working together to provide a coordinated rescue response.

The Marine Incident Response Team would also like to recognize the actions of the Good Samaritan boater whose quick intervention and willingness to assist played a vital role in this rescue effort.