Man Overboard Rescued Off Piermont

PIERMONT, NY — A man who fell overboard midday Monday north of the Piermont Pier was rescued by the Piermont Fire Department dive team and the help of the Nyack and Thiells fire departments.

A caller to 911 stated his friend went overboard and he was unable to get him back into the vessel. 

Within five minutes of the initial dispatch, 13-Marine was in service to the location given with crew members on board, fire officials said.

Once they got there, members of the dive team Chief Daniel Goswick Jr and Lt. Patrick Krummack entered the water, while Frank Bockowski acted as a backup diver. Both divers made contact with the victim, who had been clinging to rear of the fishing vessel for well over 30 minutes.

Both members worked to untangle the victim from ropes that were used to secure him to the boat so the strong river current didn’t take him downriver. Then both divers grabbed the man's upper body and with the help of Asst. Chief Sam Kropp, Ex. Chief Donald Hardy and FF. Frank Bockowski the victim was pulled toward 13-Marine to the dive door.

Once on board, both chiefs who are also NYS-EMTs started to "package" the victim with the help of the other dive team members. The victim was brought back to Pier 701 to await EMS and medics to be placed into the thermal recovery capsule used for victims who have hypothermia due to cold water exposure. 

Due to the efforts given yesterday by all the first responders, the man is home with his family safe and healthy, fire officials said.

They thanked the following departments:

• Piermont Fire Department
• Nyack Fire Department (Marine Unit)
• Thiells Fire Department (Dive Team)
• Piermont Police Department
• RPS-Medic 21
• RC Sheriff Marine Division
• South Nyack Police Department
• Westchester County PD Marine Division