Marine Bureau Officers and Good Samaritan Rescue Teens from Overturned Boat
Thanks to one Good Samaritan, the Coast Guard and Suffolk County Marine Bureau Officers two Smithtown Teens are safe on land. Smithtown residents, Douglas Botto and Eric Damn were aboard a 16 foot Hobie Cat Catamaran just 2 ½ – 3 miles north of the Nissequogue River, on the Long Island Sound, Saturday morning, when disaster struck. The Catamaran overturned in the wake of three to five foot waves, preventing the two teens from righting the boat.
At approximately 11:30 A.M. a Good Samaritan identified two young men, in life jackets, floating on the hull of the boat. The Good Samaritan immediately called for help, contacting Marine Bureau Officers over the radio with coordinates for a rescue. Botto and Damn had been stranded for 90 minutes before being spotted by the witness.
Marine Bureau Officers David Goldstein and Michael Cappiello responded aboard Marine Delta along with Officers Keith Walters and Paul Carnival who arrived aboard Marine Bravo. The U.S. Coast Guard arrived on the scene to assist as well. Both teenagers were brought back to Long Beach in Nissequogue, while the Catamaran was towed behind them. Both young men were unharmed and needed no medical attention.
Smithtown Today would like to remind boaters, kayakers and canoers to stay cognizant of rough seas and rip currents at the confluence of the Nissequogue River and the Long Island Sound. The waters become difficult to maneuver upon approaching the Kings Park Bluff. In addition, please stay alert and be mindful of occasional small craft advisories, strong currents or sudden weather changes.