NEW YORK — Coast Guard crews from Station Kings Point, Station New York, and Station Sandy Hook executed three separate towing operations Saturday after receiving reports of disabled vessels in the area.
The first incident was reported via VHF Channel 16, involving a 35-foot white center console boat with four people onboard flashing a white light toward a marina. Coast Guard Sector New York issued an urgent marine information broadcast and dispatched a boatcrew from Station Kings Point. The crew located the anchored but disabled vessel and towed it safely to a local marina. No injuries were reported.
Shortly afterward, SeaTow notified Sector New York of a second disabled vessel, a 25-foot white center console with five people onboard, adrift south of the Verrazzano Bridge. The vessel’s GPS was reportedly inoperable and they were unable to drop anchor. Using the i911 system, Sector New York pinpointed the vessel’s location and issued another urgent broadcast. A boatcrew from Station New York responded, safely transferring all five individuals and towing the disabled boat to a safe location where SeaTow took over. No injuries were reported.
In a third case, an insurance company contacted Sector New York about a personal watercraft that was disabled and slowly taking on water near the Oceanic Bridge in the Navesink River. The mariner, who was wearing a life jacket, was located using the i911 system. A boatcrew from Station Sandy Hook towed both the mariner and the watercraft to safety. TowBoatUS later assumed the tow for salvage operations. No injuries occurred.
i911 system aids Coast Guard response
The Coast Guard credited the i911 system for assisting in locating mariners quickly during all three incidents. The system uses a mariner’s cellphone GPS to transmit precise coordinates once the user grants permission, helping responders locate vessels in distress with near real-time accuracy.
The Coast Guard reminded mariners to maintain functional safety equipment, remain aware of weather conditions, and ensure that navigation systems are operational before setting out.
