Coast Guard Rescues 8 From Disabled Boat Off Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The U.S. Coast Guard rescued eight people late Monday afternoon from a broken down boat offshore from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station New York were called by cellphone from the captain of the 22-foot vessel around 5 p.m., the Coast Guard said. The captain said the boat was disabled and adrift and they couldn't anchor, the Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard sent out a 45-foot response boat and arrived on scene eight minutes later. They took everyone onboard the disabled boat onto their rescue vessel, and towed the broken down boat with them, the Coast Guard said.
The boat was taken to a local commercial salvage and the eight passengers made it safely ashore.
The Coast Guard said because the boaters had a cellphone with them, the crew was able to respond within 10 minutes.
While cellphones are important, all mariners are also advised to keep a properly-working VHF radio with them. They can contact the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16.