Boater Rescued After Vessel Capsizes In Smithtown Bay

SMITHTOWN, NY — Two Smithtown harbormasters rescued a boater who was clinging to the hull of his capsized vessel in Smithtown Bay on Sunday, town officials said.

Shortly before noon on Aug. 9, Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety harbormasters were notified of a vessel in distress near Cranes Neck, according to the town.

Initial reports indicated the boat was taking on water, but the call was quickly upgraded to a capsized vessel with a person in the water, officials said.

Harbormasters Ronan and Edwards responded and found an overturned 18-foot center console with its operator clinging to the hull, according to the town.

The harbormasters maneuvered their patrol boat alongside the overturned vessel and pulled the operator aboard, officials said.

The boater was evaluated by medics from the Stony Brook Fire Department and declined additional medical treatment. He was then brought safely to the Roger Balducci Marina and was not injured, according to the town.

Sea Tow later righted the capsized vessel and towed it back to the marina.

“When an emergency unfolds on the water, every second matters,” Smithtown Supervisor Edward Wehrheim said. “Harbormasters Ronan and Edwards demonstrated tremendous courage, professionalism and sound judgment when it mattered most.”

Wehrheim said the harbormasters “immediately put their training into action” and reached the boater before the situation could turn tragic.

The Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety's Waterways and Navigation Division patrols town waterways and provides emergency response, marine enforcement and assistance to boaters.

Town Department of Public Safety Chief Tom Lohmann said the incident demonstrated the importance of continued emergency training for personnel patrolling Smithtown's waterways.

“Our Harbormasters train extensively for emergencies exactly like this, because conditions on the water can change in an instant,” Lohmann said. “Harbormasters Ronan and Edwards responded without hesitation, quickly assessed a dangerous situation and executed the rescue safely and professionally.”