Janet Morra, on her first mission since becoming Crew Qualified this past week, used the binoculars and made out the Registration No.  NJ 2019 just before that information was burned off the vessel. Nobody was visible on the boat as Launch 5 made the approach, but subsequently it was learned that there had been 2 people aboard. They were taken to the hospital by ambulance for treatment.  One passenger's injuries required a stretcher. 

   Greg and Janet, with the help of the other Launch 5 Crew members Skip Mumford and Cliff Forrest, kept boats from getting too close to the burning vessel until  Yonkers Police Department Marine Unit Officers John Rinciari and Pete Staruch arrived to take over traffic control.  They were busy keeping large numbers of onlookers and Marina traffic a safe distance away from the burning boat. George Farrell, a Yonkers PD Marine Unit Officer and USCG Aux, Yonkers Flotilla member, assisted as well.  Launch 9, from the NYPD Marine Unit arrived to support rescue activities. Greg continued to coordinate the efforts of the different emergency services personnel from the various agencies involved.

(YPD Marine Unit Officers John Rinciari & Pete Staruch)  

    The Coast Guard  sent a 22' RIB and conducted a thorough investigation of the accident. Two trucks from the Englewood Fire department put out the fire, which flared up again, requiring a second effort on their part to finally put this fire to rest. They were backed up by an NYFD Fireboat.

    As per the request of USCG Activities New York, the crew of Launch 5 did a careful investigation to determine if any hazard from  gasoline, oil or other toxic materials had resulted from this accident. Thankfully, no hazardous waste abatement will be required.

    This event  is a  good example of how well  the growing cooperation between Police, Fire, EMS, USCG and USCG Auxiliary is working to handle the emergency situations that occur every day on the Hudson River.