SI Advance – September 15, 2014
by Andrew V. Simontacchi
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — An FDNY rescue swimmer ventured 100 yards offshore into the waters of Prince’s Bay to rescue a kayaker whose boat flipped Sunday afternoon.
Witnesses said they called 911 after seeing the man’s kayak overturn near Sharrott Pier, off Sharrotts Road near Hylan Boulevard, just before 5 p.m.
“This happens all the time; the smartest thing he did was stay with the kayak,” said Mike Ianniello, an avid fisherman from Prince’s Bay who spends days on the pier. “Thank God for cell phones.”
Ianniello said he and his friend, Marianne Troia, called 911 after seeing what happened.
“We waited for the ambulances and fire trucks to arrive and I pointed out exactly where he was,” Ms. Troia said. “We’re just happy he’s safe.”
The kayaker was wearing a life vest at the time of the incident, witnesses said.
According to an FDNY spokesman, Ladder Co. 76 and Marine 8 responded to the scene, and a firefighter from Ladder 76 swam about 100 yards to make the save. An NYPD harbor unit moved in to meet them both, and take them to Great Kills Harbor.
The kayaker, whose identity was not released Sunday night, refused medical treatment at the scene, the FDNY spokesman said.
The rescue took place the same day firefighters and police saved two men who spent the night stranded on small islands off the borough’s East Shore after they fell off a Jet Ski Saturday night.
— Advance staff writer John Annese contributed to this report.
No comments yet.