Rescue off Fire Island

Imagine being out on a weekend fishing trip when suddenly, your boat is surrounded by massive, 12-foot waves. That terrifying scenario became a reality for four boaters off the coast of New York's Fire Island recently.

On a Saturday evening, a 42-foot sportfishing yacht set out from the Connetquot River. The trip took a dangerous turn when the vessel was overpowered by rough seas a few miles southwest of Moriches Inlet. A distress call went out at 5:45 p.m., sparking a high-stakes rescue mission.

At first, the Coast Guard sent a motor lifeboat from the Shinnecock Station in Hampton Bays. However, the churning ocean was too rough, and the rescue boat couldn't safely cut through the giant waves to reach the stranded passengers.

With daylight fading and the water too rough for a boat rescue, the Coast Guard scrambled an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter.

The chopper flew 150 nautical miles all the way from Cape Cod. When it finally reached the stranded yacht at 8:30 p.m., a rescue swimmer bravely dropped into the chaotic waters below. One by one, the swimmer helped hoist all four passengers—two men (ages 55 and 30) and two women (ages 45 and 40)—up into the hovering helicopter.

By 9:42 p.m., everyone was safely aboard. The group was flown to Gabreski Airport, where emergency medical services evaluated them. As for the yacht, it had to be left adrift in the ocean, prompting a radio broadcast to warn other ships in the area to steer clear.