Coast Guard conducts three separate tows Saturday

NEW YORK — Coast Guard crews from Station Kings Point, Station New York, and Station Sandy Hook conducted three separate tows for disabled vessels, Saturday. 

Coast Guard Sector New York received a report over VHF Channel 16 of a 35-foot white center console boat with four people onboard shining a white flashing light toward a marina. An urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB) was issued and a boatcrew from Station Kings Point launched. The crew located the vessel, anchored and disabled, and safely towed it back to a local marina. No injuries were reported. 

A second notification came from SeaTow reporting a 25-foot white center console with five people onboard disabled and adrift south of the Verrazzano Bridge. The vessel's GPS was reportedly inoperable and they were unable to anchor. Sector New York used the i911 system to pinpoint the vessel's location, issued a UMIB, and launched a boatcrew from Station New York. Once on scene, the boatcrew safely transferred the five people to the station vessel and towed the disabled boat to a safe location where SeaTow assumed the tow. All five individuals were transported to a local marina with no reported injuries. 

A third report was received from an insurance company regarding a personal watercraft that was disabled and taking on water near the Oceanic Bridge in the Navesink River. Sector New York again used the i911 system to locate the mariner, who was reported to be wearing a life jacket and taking on water slowly. A UMIB was issued and a boatcrew from Station Sandy Hook launched. The mariner and personal watercraft were taken in tow by the Coast Guard boatcrew. TowBoatUS then assumed the tow to coordinate salvage plans with the operator. The mariner was safely brought to a local marina with no reported injuries. 

The Coast Guard uses the i911 program to help locate mariners in distress using their cellphone. When activated, watchstanders enter the mariner’s phone number into the system, which sends a text message requesting permission to share their location. If accepted, the mariner’s cellphone GPS transmits their coordinates to the Coast Guard, significantly aiding in response efforts by showing their exact position on screen in near real time. 

The Coast Guard reminds all mariners of the following safety tips: 

• File a float plan – Without one, you rely on others to provide critical details to search crews. A float plan contains key information that can make all the difference in an emergency. 

• Wear a life jacket – The Coast Guard estimates life jackets could have saved more than 80 percent of boating fatality victims. Accidents happen fast, and there’s often no time to grab a stowed life jacket. 

• Get a free vessel safety check – The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers courtesy safety checks. Request one here: https://wow.uscgaux.info/i_want_a_vsc/index.php 

• Stay sober – Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Know the risks and avoid becoming a victim of Boating Under the Influence (BUI). 

For more information on safe boating, visit uscgboating.org. 

-USCG-