UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY UNOFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
10 AUG 02
LAUNCH 5 PWC RESCUE
The crew of Launch 5 saved a drowning family that included a three year old child when their Hudson River PWC trip went awry.
The jet ski had capsized in the busy channel and begun to sink. Only having worn their PFDs saved the operator and his family from drowning while awaiting rescue.
Coxswain Greg Porteus with Crew Jimmy Picciano, Lou Liotti, Stephen Schmidt, Cliff Forrest, and Al Anderson was on a Safety Patrol at the Bear Mountain Bridge area of the Hudson. It was 1:15pm on 10 AUG02, when they spotted a 1/2 submerged jet ski a 1/4 mile off the west shore, the operator in the water.
There was a kayak about 200 yards away with three people in the water, hanging on. They were later identified as the PWC operator's wife and two children, aged 6 and 3.
"Launch 5's" crew were able to pull all four victims to into the Launch and offer First Aid, all while avoiding an oncoming, barge pushing, tugboat.
Many thanks to motorized kayak operator Douglas Colligar, who offered assistance and towed the jet ski to shore.
The rescued family was transferred from "Launch 5" to "Irish Eyes", a USCG Aux Facility with Coxswain Louis Hitchcock and Crew Steve Rinaldi, Tim Hughes, and Bill Christiaro. They returned the family safely to their home port.
This was a fine example of USCG Auxiliary seamanship and teamwork, utilizing all available assets to a successful, safe outcome.
Remember, however, all of the effort, equipment, training, and courage involved in this rescue would have been to no avail without one vitally important Boat Smart fact:
THEY WORE THEIR LIFEJACKETS!!!
For more detailed information about Launch 5, her history, restoration, and crew, go to www.Launch5.com
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The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer's who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and re-designated as the Auxiliary in 1941. Its 30,000 members donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions. For more information on the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, visit us at www.cgaux.org. ### |
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