Montauk Coast Guard Crews Battle Bad Weather Towing Disabled Boat

Coast Guard crews from Montauk brought a boat to safety in difficult weather and sea conditions after it became disabled about 43 miles off of Shinnecock Inlet on Saturday night.

Just after 2 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound in Connecticut received a distress call from a passenger aboard the 31-foot pleasure craft, "Triena," out of Shinnecock Inlet. The engine had died and was adrift, according to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard cutter Ridley, an 87-foot patrol boat from Montauk, was launched, and got to the boat around dusk. Lt. Jeff Janaro explained that Coast Guard Station Shinnecock Inlet doesn't have as big a patrol boat at their disposal, and with the weather that was expected, it was deemed more appropriate to send the cutter from Montauk. 

Once the Coast Guard reached the disabled boat, the crew made sure the passengers aboard were safe, and then began to tow the vessel to shore.

When the original report was made seas were about 2 to 4 feet, Janaro said. "There were reports of dangerous storm cells and high winds," he said, adding seas were about 3 to 5 feet once the Coast Guard got to the boat. 

"Because of difficulty maneuvering a large patrol boat while towing a vessel in confined waters, Ridley crew members passed the vessel tow to a waiting Coast Guard 47-foot motor life boat from Coast Guard Station Montauk early Sunday morning," the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The boat was moored at the Montauk Marine Basin shortly after 6 a.m.

“I could not be more proud of the actions of my crew – it was a long night at sea, but this is what we do and why we are in the Coast Guard,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Andrea Martynowski, the officer in charge of Ridley. “I am glad to have been able to assist this disabled vessel and her crew before darkness set in and the sea conditions built overnight.”