One person died and three others were rescued on Saturday after their tug sank one mile from Fire Island National Park, New York, the Coast Guard has confirmed.
At about 2:15 p.m. ET Saturday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound Command Center received notification from the Vessel Traffic Service in New York of a sinking 65-foot tug with four people aboard, prompting an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB) and the launch of a boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Fire Island.
The boatcrew arrived on scene at approximately 2:45 p.m. to discover a debris field and three men huddled together in immersion suits. A fourth man from the tug was later found unresponsive by a good Samaritan.
All four crewmen were transported to an awaiting emergency crew on shore, where the three survivors were diagnosed with hypothermia. The fourth man was later pronounced deceased.
Water temperature at the time was reported to be about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the deceased,” said Capt. Edward Cubanski, commander Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. “I also applaud our dedicated and professional search and rescue crews, our port partners, local EMS, and police who responded on scene and ashore.”
Suffolk County Police Department is investigating the cause of the incident.
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