Moriches, NY - July 23, 2018 - Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers rescued two men stranded on a disabled Personal Watercraft in 8-10 foot seas and high winds a half mile south of Moriches Inlet on Sunday, July 22, 2018.
Michael Stack, 37, and James Trowbridge, 54, both of Brookhaven, entered the ocean to surf the large storm-generated waves by towing a hydrofoil surfboard with Stack’s 2014 Yamaha Waverunner. While surfing, their tow line became wrapped in the intake of their vessel, disabling it offshore at 6:30 p.m.
Stack called TowBoatUS of Moriches for assistance. TowBoatUS assessed the inlet conditions and determined that they would be unable to respond due to the heavy seas and breaking waves. TowBoatUS immediately notified the United States Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound Command Center in New London, Connecticut. The Coast Guard notified the Suffolk Police Marine Bureau, who immediately dispatched Marine Mike, a 33 foot rescue boat assigned to the Moriches area.
Marine Mike, piloted by Officer Kevin Comiskey and crewed by Officers Rob Daniels and Chris Maggio, proceeded to the inlet. After evaluating the conditions, based on their experience and the capabilities of their boat, the officers decided to attempt a transit of the inlet to assist the stranded men. The heavy winds, high seas, and ebb conditions were pushing wave heights to a steep 8-10 feet, right at the limits of Marine Mike boat.
Marine Mike successfully entered the ocean and located the disabled craft, took the two men on board and the watercraft in tow, and made a second transit of the dangerous inlet to return to the relative safety of Moriches Bay.
In Moriches Bay, the crew rendezvoused with TowBoatUS of Moriches, who took the two men on board and the watercraft in tow back to their home port in Brookhaven. Stack and Trowbridge were uninjured in the incident.