Four people were plucked from a stranded yacht by helicopter Saturday evening after deteriorating weather conditions prevented a boat-based rescue off the coast of New York.
The U.S. Coast Guard received a distress call at 5:45 p.m., reporting that the 42-foot vessel Proudfoot was disabled and drifting in 12-foot seas three miles southwest of Moriches Inlet.
The two men and two women aboard were unable to get help from local police and responders who were unable to reach them because of the hazardous conditions.
A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock initially launched but was forced to return to station as sea conditions worsened. An MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod took over the operation. arriving on scene at 8:30 p.m.
All four individuals were hoisted from the yacht and flown to Gabreski Airport, around 9:40 p.m. where emergency medical services were waiting. No injuries were reported.
“The challenging nature of this rescue underscored the importance of reliable forms of communication and required safety equipment, including life jackets,” said Coast Guard Lt. Jonathan Roth, a member at Sector Long Island Sound.
“These are instrumental in getting the mariner to safety and are a must-have on any voyage, any time of year and in all weather.”
The Proudfoot washed ashore Sunday morning at Democrat Point on Fire Island. New York Department of Environmental Conservation and local police reported the boat remained intact with no risk of pollution.
The owner has hired a commercial salvage company to recover the vessel once weather and safety conditions improve.