Coast Guard Rescues 11 on Saturday

In two separate incidents on Saturday, 11 people, including two young children, were rescued by members of the .

According to the Coast Guard, the first distress call came in around 9 a.m. from a boat carrying 5 people. The 24-foot vessel, the coast guard said, was located in Peconic and was taking on water.

The Coast Guard, along with a salvage boat, were able to safely get everyone off the boat, which was towed and de-watered.

Then, at 6 p.m., the Coast Guard received another distress call of a 19-foot sailing vessel with six people aboard that was taking on water.

Coast Guard officials said they arrived at the boat, which was near Shinnecock, within minutes to find that a fellow boater had been able to pull four people from the water, including two small children. The Coast Guard helped the remaining two adults from the water.

All those rescued were taken to the Shinnecock Coast Guard Station, where emergency medical personnel treated them.

“Today’s two cases could’ve ended a lot worse if it weren’t for the swift response from the Coast Guard crews, the commercial salvage company and the Good Samaritan,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Fusco. “It's important for mariners to make sure their vessel is seaworthy and outfitted with the required safety equipment prior to getting underway. Although incidents like today’s are rare, its important to know what to do in the event of an emergency before it happens.”