Coast Guard Assists Boat Taking on Water Off Montauk

The Coast Guard came to the aide of a boat taking on water about two miles off of the Montauk Point Lighthouse on Saturday.

Communication watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, in New Haven, Conn., received a distress call from a boater aboard the vessel Casa Del Mar at about 2:30 p.m. The boater said his 31-foot vessel was taking on water fast and the engine room was completely flooded, according to the Coast Guard. They advised him to put on a life-vest.

A 47-foot motor life boat rescue crew from Coast Guard Station Montauk was launched and an urgent marine broadcast was issued. A good Samaritan and East Hampton Marine Patrol also responded.

The crew from Montauk rescued the boater, after arriving at about 2:50 p.m. Two crew members went aboard to address the problem

“Our unit conducts drills simulating vessels taking on water, which helps to prepare us for a situation like this,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Ismael Velasquez, the operator of the rescue boat who oversaw the dewatering operations of the vessel. “The boat crew’s response was exactly how we do it in training. They brought the dewatering pump and damage control kit onboard and were able rapidly dewater the engine room that had nearly three feet of water in it and save the vessel.”

Casa Del Mar was towed to Gone Fishing Marina in Montauk where it was hauled out for repairs, the Coast Guard said.

“The owner was extremely relieved when we arrived and transferred him to our boat,” said Velasquez. “He made sure his electronics were secured so it was safe for me to send the boat crew onto his boat to dewater his vessel.”