Community Corner

Stay Safe, Borrow a Life Jacket from Sea Tow

Sea Tow, International is now lending life jackets to boaters.

Sea Tow is throwing some life vests to those in need, but they'll need them back, eventually.

On Monday Sea Tow International held a ribbon cutting in East Quogue on its latest service — loaner lifejackets to boaters on the East End of Long Island. 

According to the 30-year-old Sea Tow company, which is based out of Southold, the lifejackets can be borrowed by boaters to replace missing or damaged personal flotation devices or for extra guests on their boats.

The life vests, which come just days before the 4th of July — a popular day for boaters — are made available through a $20,000 donation from the beverage distributer Clare Rose, Inc., of Yaphank.
"We thank Clare Rose. We all want to do what we can to help reduce preventable accidents and have a safer 2013 season and promoting PFD use is part of that, said ”Sea Tow International founder and CEO, Captain Joe Frohnhoefer. 

The adult life vests are available at the following Sea Tow locations on the East End: 

  • Remsenburg Marina, Dock Road, Remenburg
  • Haskell's Bait and Tackle, Montauk Highway, East Quogue
  • East Hampton Boat Ramps, Glenn Road, Boat Yard Road, East Hampton
  • East Hampton Pump Out Station, Gann Road, East Hampton
  • Montauk Yacht Club, Star Island Road, Montauk
  • Montauk Marine Basin, West Lake Drive, Montauk
  • Uihleins Marina, West Lake Drive, Montauk
  • Mitchell Park Marina, Greenport
  • Strong's Marina, Mattituck
  • Treasure Cove Marina, Riverhead 
On hand for the ribbon cutting was Scott Finne, who was recently rescued from a boating accident in the Shinneock Inlet by Sea Tow captain and franchise owner Les Trafford. 

Trafford, a local fire firefighter led the rescue after a trawler capsized in May. Trafford managed to pluck Finne from the water, however the captain of the trawler, 85-year-old Stian Stiansen died in the incident. 

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