At 5:16 pm on Friday, as a severe thunderstorm rolled through the area, Center Moriches Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a vessel taking on water in Narrows Bay off Mastic Beach. As part of the Marine Incident Response Team (MIRT), Marine 26 was launched within minutes heading across the bay through rain and lightning.

Just four minutes later a second call came in for Center Moriches Firefighters this time for smoke inside a garage on Wagon Wheel Lane, after a nearby tree was struck by lightning.

Upon arrival in Narrows Bay, Marine 26 joined Mastic Beach FD's marine unit and found a pontoon boat that had run aground but was not taking on water. The occupants were being assisted by TowBoat. Mastic Beach and Center Moriches boats provided scene safety while TowBoat removed the vessel from the sandbar.

Once safely removed from the sandbar, all marine units were returned to service.

Simultaneously, firefighters on Wagon Wheel Lane used thermal imaging cameras to investigate the smoke in the garage and determined the structure was safe for the residents.

No matter the weather or the conditions, Center Moriches Firefighters remain ready to serve our community on land or water at a moment’s notice.