5 Most Read Stories in December

Take a look back at the major headlines in December:

1. Pascal 'Sax' Leader Dies at 25

After years of battling addictions, Pascal Leader — known to everyone as Sax— passed away in his New York City apartment on Nov. 30. 

2. Coast Guard Rescues Fisherman Found Floating Off Montauk Point

The Coast Guard rescued a commercial fisherman from the water about six miles from where his boat capsized off Montauk Point on Dec. 7. 

“The initial report came from a birdwatcher in the area who observed a person in the water that appeared to be hanging onto a life raft,” Petty Officer 2nd Class Brent Walsh, the 47-foot motor life boat operator, said in a statement. “Fortunately we were in the area conducting training at the time of the report and were able to quickly respond to the location of the person in the water, especially since we were quickly losing valuable daylight to search for the fisherman.”

3. Commercial Fishing Boat Takes on Water 30 Miles Offshore

On Dec. 18, the Coast Guard is towing a commercial fishing vessel back to Montauk that was taking on water about 30 miles south of Montauk Point. 

Petty Officer Alissa Flockerzi said the crew aboard Caitlin & Mairead reported the 65-foot trawler was taking on water at about 2:25 p.m. At the time, the four-person crew had engaged pumps, which were keeping up with the water. The boat is registered to David Aripotch. 

The Coast Guard rescued the disabled commercial fishing vessel that was 86 miles offshore when it lost power and its crew ran out of food. The Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma rescue boat reached "Endorphin," a 58-foot boat out of Montauk, late Friday and is towing it back to Montauk on Saturday.