Injured Boaters Rescued on Sound, Rye Man At Helm Is Arrested

MAMARONECK, NY — A race to help a boat in distress became a criminal investigation when Mamaroneck Bay Constables began to suspect that the vessel's operator was under the influence of alcohol.

After Village of Mamaroneck police boarded a boat that was taking on water in a rocky area of the Long Island Sound, the 33-year-old skipper from Rye was charged with boating while intoxicated (BWI). The marine unit officers were alerted to the boat in distress by the Larchmont P.D. after the department received a number of calls about boaters in trouble near Harbor Island.

The boat was found where it had run aground in a rocky area of the sound near Flagler Drive in Mamaroneck on June 16. Police quickly rescued the two passengers on board the stricken craft.

One of the boaters, a 24-year-old NYC resident, was taken to the hospital with a severe laceration to her head.

After speaking with the operator of the boat, police began to suspect that the Rye man had been drinking. Officers say the boater showed signs of intoxication and was arrested following an investigation into the accident. He was charged with a misdemeanor BWI and released pending a court date.