'Mayday!': 4 Stranded In Sinking Vessel Saved By Good Samaritans

MORICHES, NY — After hearing a "Mayday!" cry for help on a marine radio, two good Samaritans came to the aid of four people stranded in a vessel that was taking on water off Moriches Inlet Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

According to United States Coast Guard Long Island Sound Lt. Junior Grade Sarah Dupre, a call came in at 3:19 p.m. about the boat; the mayday call had initially been heard on Channel 68 by the two fishermen who were monitoring the marine radio. The fishermen called the U.S. Coast Guard and then headed out to help those aboard the sinking center console boat, which was located 18 nautical miles south of Moriches Inlet, Dupre said.

According to Suffolk County Police, marine bureau officers responded to the vessel taking on water roughly 20 miles from the inlet; "marine Mike" responded to the area and found a 30-foot Rybovich taking on water and making its way to shore 12 miles south of the Moriches Inlet with the four onboard. Officers escorted the vessel to a private residence in Mastic Beach; no injuries were reported, police said.

The two fishermen, a Coast Guard helo copter from Air Station Cape Cod, boats from U.S. Coast Guard Stations Shinnecock and Moriches, as well as a Suffolk County Police aviation unit and marine asset Delta, all rushed to the scene and helped the four to safety; their vessel was also moored, Dupre said.

"This was a really good show of good Samaritans helping other mariners, as well as helping to relay information to the Coast Guard, and a lot of local agencies assisting the Coast Guard," Dupre said. "This was a really good one."