Coast Guard Helicopter Saves Four from Disabled Yacht Amidst 12-Foot Waves off Long Island

In a dramatic scene, a Coast Guard helicopter swooped in to rescue four individuals trapped on a malfunctioning yacht amid treacherous 12-foot waves off Long Island.

The distress call came in at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, alerting authorities that the 42-foot vessel named “Proudfoot” was adrift and disabled about three miles southwest of Moriches Inlet, Suffolk County, as reported by the US Coast Guard.

Local law enforcement and first responders faced insurmountable challenges due to the perilous weather, rendering them unable to reach the stranded boaters.

Efforts to deploy a boat crew from Shinnecock were thwarted as conditions worsened, forcing them to return to base due to the deteriorating sea state.

At 8:30 p.m., an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod was dispatched to the scene, prepared to airlift the stranded individuals.

Footage released by the Coast Guard shows the helicopter crew skillfully lowering a metal basket into the darkness, successfully retrieving two men and two women from the rocking vessel.

By 9:42 p.m., all four were safely hoisted from the yacht and transported to Gabreski Airport, where emergency medical services awaited their arrival.

Remarkably, no injuries were reported during this intense operation.

The yacht eventually washed ashore at Democrat Point in Fire Island on Sunday morning, with local police and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation confirming that it remained intact.

Coast Guard Lt. Jonathan Roth emphasized the critical nature of communication and safety equipment in such rescues. “These tools are essential for ensuring mariners' safety and should be standard on any voyage, regardless of the season or weather conditions,” he stated.

Roth's remarks highlight the importance of preparedness when navigating unpredictable waters.