Marine Crews Make Predawn Ocean Rescue

Four fishermen were brought to safety early Sunday after their boat ran aground in rough Atlantic waters west of Moriches Inlet, marking the latest successful rescue by the Moriches Bay Marine Incident Response Team.

The Mastic Beach Fire Department and MIRT were activated at 3:51 a.m. to assist the U.S. Coast Guard after a 31-foot Boston Whaler returning from a fishing trip struck a sandbar with four people aboard.

Marine units from Center Moriches, Mastic, East Moriches and Eastport arrived within minutes, finding the boat listing dangerously as waves pounded its side. Mastic Beach firefighters also deployed support vehicles to the outer beach.

A Center Moriches Fire Department rescue swimmer entered the ocean, crossed the sandbar and reached the stranded vessel. All four occupants were evaluated, with no injuries reported.

With a storm approaching and sea conditions changing, rescuers removed three occupants as a precaution. The captain remained aboard awaiting Sea Tow to free the vessel.

The rescue was another demonstration of the capabilities of MIRT, which has assumed an increasingly important role in South Shore emergencies since the Coast Guard closed its East Moriches station and shifted operations to Shinnecock.

“The volunteers undergo extensive training to conduct these rescues,” Mastic Beach Fire Commissioner Bill Biondi said. “It takes a lot of time and training to make sure people get home safe.”

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, who has participated in MIRT training exercises, has seen firsthand the extensive resources local departments can bring to a marine emergency.

“With so many assets available, it’s critical that they be coordinated,” DeStefano said. “Both the volunteers and professionals are more than capable of saving lives along our waterways.”

Center Moriches Marine 26 returned to service at 5:46 a.m., less than two hours after the initial alarm.