News Release

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NEW YORK - The Coast Guard and the Fire Department of New York rescued four people aboard a vessel taking on water near King's Point, N.Y., Thursday, June 21, 2012.

Coast Guard Sector New York watchstanders received a report from a crewmember aboard the 60-foot pleasure craft Tranquility, stating that the vessel was taking on water in the vicinity of Stepping Stones Marina, Great Neck, N.Y., just after 9 a.m.

Sector watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed Coast Guard Station Kings Point, N.Y., to assist the people in distress. FDNY responders arrived on scene and transferred the four people to their vessel as the Coast Guard boat crew ran four dewatering pumps on the sinking vessel. The FDNY boat crew towed the vessel to Stepping Stones Marina as dewatering pumps kept it afloat.

In an unrelated case in the area, Coast Guard responders are working with local agencies searching for a person in the water near City Island, Bronx, N.Y.

Coast Guard Sector New York watchstanders received notification that a 26-year-old-man entered the water from a recreational boat in the vicinity of City Island and Hart Island, N.Y., at midnight.

Sector watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and immediately launched a Coast Guard Station Kings Point rescue boat, Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish and a Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., rescue helicopter to search for the man. The search continued through the night, and all responders are currently on scene. Fire Department of New York responders and New York Police Department harbor responders and helicopter crews have also participated in the search.

When the man entered the water, he was reportedly wearing black shorts, no shirt and no lifejacket. He also cannot swim, according to reports.

“The Coast Guard is working alongside our partner agencies to search for this man and will continue to do so until we have exhausted every effort to find him,” said Chief Petty Officer Rodger Krass, a watchstander at Sector New York.

The Coast Guard urges people taking to the water at night to make safety their number one priority by ensuring all passengers are wearing a Coast Guard-approved lifejacket and that vessels have appropriate safety gear, especially when operating in the busy New York City waterways.