UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY UNOFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
21 JUL 02
A HUDSON RIVER RESCUE
Sunday, July 21, a PFD and the crew of Launch 5, a Flotilla 67 USCG Auxiliary Operational Facility, saved a life.
While patrolling the Hudson River on USCG Aux Orders, Coxswain Greg Porteus received a call to assist another USCG Aux Facility with engine trouble. Greg, along with Launch 5 crew members Wayne Pickhardt, Jimmy Picciano, Marion and Jack Hayes proceeded to the scene and took the vessel in tow.
After returning the damaged vessel safely to port, the crew of Launch 5 rescued a semiconscious PWC operator from a drowning situation.
The White Plains resident was enjoying a jet ski ride on the Hudson, when the weather changed. The 230 pound man in his middle 30's headed for safe harbor, buffeted by the high winds and swells that capsized his PWC before he could make it to shore. Luckily he was wearing his lifejacket, which kept him afloat until rescued.
In four foot seas, Launch 5 pulled alongside the capsized jet ski and the crew was able to get a life ring and line around the exhausted individual. The crew of Launch 5 struggled in the high winds, but were able to pull him into the boat and provide first aid.
They then salvaged the capsized and sinking PWC and brought both vessel and operator safely home.
Greg knew his 52 ft. 25 ton Launch 5 was too big to bring the PWC into the Ossining Village Boat Ramp. He called USCG Auxiliary Coxswain Vinny Stafford at home and had Vinny bring a small USCG Aux work boat Facility to meet Launch 5 at Ossining. They transferred the towed PWC to Vinny's Facility. Vinny brought the jet ski in to the boat ramp and on to it's trailer, which the owner's family had made ready at the ramp.
After being checked by Auxiliary member and EMT Marion Hayes, the soggy, shaken, but safe PWC Operator was met at the dock by family members, who declined an ambulance and took him home. He is fully recovered from his ordeal and grateful to the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and his lifejacket for saving his life.
It was a busy and productive patrol. This story is another example of why it's important to boat smart from the start, wear your lifejacket.
Members of the USCG Auxiliary, family and friends met to celebrate this fine example of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary's boating safety efforts Monday, July 22 at Danny's Cafe.
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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