Rescue On The Hudson

08 AUG 07

Launch 5 Crew Continues Search for Goshen man, 71 Missing In The Hudson River Near Bear Mountain Bridge

By Robert Daraio

08 August 2007, OSSINING, N.Y. - The crew of Launch 5 continues to assist investigators from the New York State Police in their search for a 71-year-old Goshen man who abandoned his car on the Bear Mountain Bridge this past Sunday, August 7, 2007.

In response to a 911 call, police found Winifred Degenhardt's keys and identification in his red Mercury sedan about 150 yards from the Westchester County side of the bridge. Bridge security camera images confirmed that the 5'-6'', 150 pound man jumped from the bridge at around 3:27am.

New York State Police Investigator Matt Manza requested assistance from Hudson River first responders, including the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The victim's daughter, Jennifer Degenhardt Bennis, contacted Greg Porteus, Operations Officer of Flotilla 67, D1SR, USCG Auxiliary, requesting that Launch 5 help with the search for her father.

Last night, USCG Auxiliarists Greg Porteus, Cliff Forrest, Don Elmendorf, and Bob Daraio, along with USCG Reservist Steve Connolly, were aboard Auxiliary Facility 523356, Launch 5, a Philip Rhodes designed, 52 foot, 26 ton, former NYPD Harbor Unit patrol boat. They ran search patterns in the Hudson River channel and along both the Westchester and Rockland shore lines.

The search will continue day and night until Mr. Degenhardt is found.

Anyone with information regarding this tragic event may contact New York State Police Investigator, Matt Manza, at NYSP Cortlandt, 914 737 7171.

In the last decade, 9 people have leaped to their deaths off the Bear Mountain Bridge and 27 have ended their lives by plunging into the waters below the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed volunteers who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for direct military and law enforcement. These men and women can be found performing a variety of missions - on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms, and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, Marine Safety and Environmental Protection patrols, Free Vessel Safety Checks, and boating safety 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. Over 29,000 members donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions. Membership is open to US Citizens 17 years of age or older who must also pass a Personal Security Investigation.

For more information about Launch 5 and Flotilla 67 go to www.launch5.com , www.force67.com , or www.ratlines.com

www.ratlines.com Revised: 12/29/07

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