Boat Operator Arrested for BWI after Marine Bureau Rescues Five People, SCPD Says
Great South Bay, NY - Sept. 4, 2018 - Suffolk County Police arrested a man for BWI after rescuing five people in Great South Bay after their 24 foot speedboat overturned on Sunday, September 2.
Marine Bureau officers responded to a 911 call at 10:58 p.m. reporting a 1995 Superboat was taking on water two miles south of Heckscher State Park with five people aboard as it was heading to Bay Shore from Ocean Bay Park. The boat overturned. All five were in the water, holding onto the overturned vessel when rescue arrived. Only two were wearing life jackets.
Several boats were dispatched to locate the overturned vessel. Marine Kilo was first on the scene, and three people were taken aboard. Islip Marine Patrol arrived on the scene and took the remaining two people aboard. All five were brought back to Timber Point and offered medical assistance, which they declined.
The operator of the boat Frank M. Ciccolella, 35, of East Meadow was arrested and charged with BWI. He is being held overnight at the Third Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned this morning at First District Court in Central Islip.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.