Early this morning, USCG Sector Long Island Sound received a Mayday call over VHF radio reporting a vessel taking on water about 20 miles south of Moriches Inlet. The operator said he was attempting to make it back to the Moriches Inlet. Coast Guard assets, including a 47’ response boat and a NYPD Air Sea Rescue helicopter, were deployed to locate the vessel.

At 10:15 the Moriches Bay Marine Incident Response Team was activated to assist once the vessel was five miles south of Moriches Inlet. Under the command of the Westhampton Beach Fire Department, Center Moriches Fire Department Marine 26 headed out the inlet to meet up with the USCG 47’ boat as it arrived on scene.

While the boat was squatting very low in the water, the operator continued toward land flanked by the USCG, Center Moriches FD, and TowBoatUS.

As the vessel approached the Moriches Inlet, TowBoatUS and SeaTow marked the channel across the bar so the vessel could safely cross the dangerous shoal, while SCPD Marine Mike secured the entrance of the inlet on the bay side to ensure a clear path through.

The operator was able to safely ground his boat on the beach at Cupsogue Beach without incident.

This incident is a testament to the outstanding collaboration of all responding agencies, whose professionalism and unified efforts brought everyone home safely.