Rescue On The Hudson

Coast Guard Auxiliary helps keep Athletes safe at the 2007 Empire State Games

OSSINING, N.Y. For three days from Thursday, July 26 through Saturday July 28, Members of Flotilla 67, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary provided safety patrols on the Hudson River for the sailing events of the 2007 Empire State Games.

The Empire State Games, a multi-sport event for amateur athletes, patterned after the Olympic program, are the largest competition of its kind in the nation. 30,000 athletes from throughout New York state competed locally to win one of the 6,000 Empire State Games spots. These athletes, with teams representing each of six regions of New York State, participated in finals competition in 32 events held in 28 venues throughout Westchester County.

The ESG sailing events were hosted by Shattemuc Yacht Club, on the Hudson River off Ossining, New York. Eighteen intrepid mariners from all over New York sailed their Laser Class boats in four races each day.

USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 67 provided Launch 5, a 52ft, 26 ton, steel hulled, former NYPD Harbor Unit patrol boat, now USCG Auxiliary Facility 523356, along with an Auxiliary PWC Facility. Launch 5 Coxswain Greg Porteus and his crew, in concert with Coxswain Jim Picciano, on his Personal Water Craft (PWC), worked alongside Marine Units from the New York State Park Police, Westchester County Police, and a HEAT Facility ( a combined Marine Unit made up of members of the NYS Police, Sleepy Hollow, Greenburgh, and Dobbs Ferry Police Departments) on this exciting three day event. These boats helped keep the athletes safe while diverting other recreational and commercial traffic on the busy Hudson River away from the race course.

When it was all over The Hudson Valley Region took first and second place honors. Ossining's home town hero, Mark May, took home the Gold, with Kyle Puchir, from nearby Cortland Manor, winning the Silver Medal. James Nichol, from Londonville in the Adirondack Region earned the Bronze Medal for his third place finish.

Daraio, Foster, and Picciano Greg Porteus and HEAT Officer ESG Setup

Well coordinated communications between the ESG Committee Boat, SYC crash boat, three police boats, Haverstraw Ferry, and two USCG Auxiliary Facilities kept the traffic flowing and the racers safe throughout the three days of exciting sailing.

ESG HEAT HEAT Officers WCPD Marine Unit

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.

ESG Boats

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 27,000 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.

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