Suffolk County Police Department Marine Bureau officers rescued a man from the Fire Island Inlet Tuesday afternoon after his boat overturned in heavy seas.
Greg Antolini was returning from a fishing trip on his 26 foot Everglades boat, traveling through the Fire Island Inlet, when the boat rolled over in eight to ten foot breaking seas during poor weather conditions.
Marine Bureau officer Erik Johnson, patrolling the oceanfront at Democrat Point on Fire Island, spotted the overturned hull of a boat in the inlet at approximately 3 p.m. Officer Johnson notified dispatch, and the Suffolk County Police Department immediately dispatched a police helicopter and two rescue boats to the area, and notified the US Coast Guard.
The police helicopter arrived and located the overturned boat and Antolini, who was clinging to a life jacket.
The helicopter crew hovered near the victim to guide rescuers. Marine Charlie, crewed by Sergeant John Vahey and Lieutenant Edward Mulroy, transited the inlet and recovered Antolini from the water and immediately rendered first aid. They then brought Antolini through the inlet to US Coast Guard Station Fire Island, where they were met by the helicopter and flight medic.
Antolini, 54, of Babylon was transported by Suffolk Police Helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of hypothermia. The sea temperature was 57 degrees, and a Small Craft Warning was in effect at the time of the incident.
