Firefighters Rescue Swimmer From Reported Drowning On LI: FD

SHIRLEY, NY — Emergency crews rescued a swimmer from a reported drowning in the ocean at Smith Point on Friday, officials told Patch.

Recue personnel from the Moriches Bay Marine Incident Response Team—which consists of numerous local fire departments—responded to a report of a person in distress in the ocean about 100 feet off shore east of the TWA memorial around 7 p.m., officials said.

According to Mastic Beach Fire Department officials, responding units were dispatched to the ocean and MBFD crews "quickly launched their Jet Ski," which is stationed at Smith Point and was in the water "within minutes."

Officials said the Jet Ski crew successfully located and rescued the victim, bringing them safely back to shore.

Mastic Beach Ambulance personnel were on scene to provide immediate medical treatment before transporting the individual to the hospital, officials said.

According to the Mastic Beach Fire Department, the response team is a specialized group responsible for handling water rescues from the Smith Point Bridge to Westhampton, covering both bay and ocean emergencies.

The team was established several years ago in response to the closure of the U.S. Coast Guard Station East Moriches, officials said. It includes crews from the Mastic Beach, Mastic, Center Moriches East Moriches, Eastport and Westhampton Beach fire departments and the Mastic Beach Ambulance Company.