5 Men Rescued From Boat That Struck Rock In Long Island Sound

Five men were rescued from Long Island Sound waters on Saturday night after their boat struck a rock and began taking on water.

According to authorities, the men were on a 20-foot Pro Line runabout when the vessel struck a submerged rock, causing damage to the engine's lower unit and breaching the hull around 9 p.m., east of Eaton’s Neck Lighthouse in Asharoken.

Authorities were alerted of the boat taking on water and Marine Bureau officers responded within 7 minutes. The men, all from Brentwood, were on a fishing trip, police say.

The Marine Bureau crew began efforts to keep the men’s boat from sinking by securing the vessel to the police boat and setting up a dewatering pump. Officers brought the men, with the boat in tow, to Soundview Ramp in Northport. There were no injuries and all of the men refused medical attention. The boat owner was issued two summonses for violations of New York State Navigation Laws.

Conditions at the time of the rescue were northwest winds of 15 knots and 3 to 4 foot seas, police say.

The Suffolk Police Marine Bureau reminds boaters to check the marine weather forecast before boating, make sure that properly-sized life jackets are available for all passengers, and to check that all legally required safety equipment is carried aboard, serviceable and accessible.

Marine Delta, the U.S. Coast Guard, Huntington Harbormaster, Asharoken Police Department, and SCPD helicopter also were dispatched to this incident.

Patch photo