MONTAUK, N.Y. – The Coast Guard assisted a fishing vessel taking on water near Montauk Point Light in Montauk, N.Y., Sept. 7.
Communication watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, in New Haven, Conn., received a distress call from a boater aboard the vessel Casa Del Mar stating his vessel was taking on water fast and the engine room was completely flooded. The boater was advised to put on his lifejacket.
The watchstander issued an urgent marine broadcast and launched a 47-foot Motor Life Boat rescue crew from Coast Guard Station Montauk. A good Samaritan and East Hampton Marine Patrol also responded to the distress.
Station Montauk’s crew removed the boater and transferred two crewmembers to the Casa Del Mar to dewater the vessel and determine the cause of flooding.
“Our unit conducts drills simulating vessels taking on water, which helps to prepare us for a situation like this,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Ismael Velasquez, the 47-foot Motor Life Boat operator, who oversaw the dewatering operations of the vessel. “The boatcrew’s response was exactly how we do it in training. They brought the dewatering pump and damage control kit onboard and were able rapidly dewater the engine room that had nearly three feet of water in it and save the vessel.”
The boatcrew towed the vessel to Gone Fishing Marina in Montauk where it was hauled out for repairs
“The owner was extremely relieved when we arrived and transferred him to our boat,” said Velasquez. “He made sure his electronics were secured, so it was safe for me to send the boatcrew onto his boat to dewater his vessel.”