Family Honored For Rescuing Capsized Boaters Near Jones Beach

WANTAGH, NY — A family earned a U.S. Coast Guard medal for rescuing two people last month who clung to a capsized boat near Jones Inlet.

On May 2, members of the Keller family were transitioning out of the inlet and heading to New York City when they saw something awry in the water, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a Facebook post Monday. Seas were about 4 feet to 7 feet and breaking, making it difficult to see the object. The Kellers, who were heading west, moved closer to get a better view of the object.

"As they approached, they saw it was an overturned vessel with two survivors hanging onto the hull for dear life," the Coast Guard said.

The family sprang into action, immediately alerting the Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound's Command Center of the capsized vessel's location. Two more family members proceeded to the motor yacht's swim platform, and tossed life rings to the people, bringing them aboard.

Once on board, the family saw the survivors were suffering from severe hypothermia and were visibly upset. They immediately began drying and warming the survivors. After the rescued boaters were moved to receive emergency medical services, the Kellers voluntarily stayed for three more hours to help scour the area for more people.

The family was honored Friday at Coast Guard Station Jones Beach, where they received the Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Medal.

"The swift actions of your response to a dangerous and unpredictable situation directly contributed to the victims survival and demonstrated unparalleled commitment to the Coast Guards shared responsibility to the protection and safety of the maritime community," the Coast Guard said. "The Keller Family's actions are most heartily commended by the United States Coast Guard and are in keeping with the highest traditions of public service."

The Coast Guard also remembered the people who died in the inlet that day with a moment of silence.

"May they forever remain in the hearts and minds of their family, friends and community," the Coast Guard said.

As Patch previously reported, John Costa, 54, and Joseph Sparacio, 65, both of Farmingdale, did not survive the capsizing.

At the time, police said a 22-foot angler fishing boat was traversing rough water when it was hit by large waves and overturned. All four occupants were thrown overboard.

Costa was operating the vessel and was pulled from the water by a police aviation dive team. He later died at a hospital.

The body of Sparacio washed ashore a few weeks later near a home in Breezy Point.

Two other men, ages 24 and 26, were pulled from the water and hospitalized for hypothermia and injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Loved ones described Sparacio and Costa on Facebook as loving fathers.

"Please keep the Sparacio and Costa families in your prayers," one poster wrote. "Our Farmingdale community has once again been rocked by a devastating tragedy."