Stranded Dolphin Guided To Deeper Waters In Long Island Bay

PLANDOME HEIGHTS, NY — A stranded dolphin was brought to the safety of deeper waters in a Long Island bay on Tuesday night, Nassau County police said.

The dolphin became stuck in the bay between Bayview Circle and Waterside Lane on Manhasset Bay at about 5:30 p.m., according to one report. It was located by a good Samaritan who alerted police by calling 911, and Sgt. Vitiello and Police Officer Owens from the 6th Precinct stepped into the mud and made their way over to help the mammal, police said.

Officers Cassidy and Stassi of the Marine Bureau responded to provide additional help, and the “dolphin was lifted onto a kayak and dragged about 300 feet through knee-deep mud to an open area of water,” police said.

In a group effort, police and the good Samaritan hoisted the dolphin into the water, which was deep enough for the it to swim in, and then made their way back to shore, police said.

The rescue effort proved to be an arduous one that spanned roughly two hours with the dolphin finally being brought to safety at about 7:20p.m., and then firefighters from the Great Neck Alert and Manhasset-Lakeville fire departments, who were on a small boat, guided it further into deeper water, police said.

Representatives from the state Department of Environmental Conservation and New York Marine Recue Center in Riverhead evaluated the dolphin, police said.

The rescue effort without not without some injuries.

Police Officers Cassidy and Stassi suffered multiple lacerations on their feet and were transported to an area hospital for treatment, police said.

One local woman, who posted photos to Facebook, recounted the rescue for her followers saying that the rescuers could walk out in the water the tide was so low.

“They are all trying to save it,” she said, referencing police, firemen, U.S. Coast Guard, and animal control officers who responded to the bay.

Multiple agencies, including Nassau police’s 6th Precinct, the Emergency Services Unit, and the Marine Bureau aided in the rescue effort, as well as multiple fire departments, including Port Washington and the Great Neck Alert Fire Company. A Manhasset-Lakeville Ambulance Unit also stood by to assist rescuers.