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Police released a video showing the daring rescue on Sunday, June 9, which shows the divers who were deployed from a helicopter and found a female victim in an air pocket under the boat.
Video of the interaction can be found here.
"Great job by #NYPD Aviation & #SCUBA rescuing a victim trapped under a capsized boat in the Long Island Sound," the NYPD posted on Twitter. "The divers deployed from the helicopter and found the victim in an air pocket under the boat. The victim and six others were taken to an area hospital to be evaluated."
The woman was trapped at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 off the shore of City Island. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene. According to the NYPD, the NYPD’s aviation and scuba teams reported, with divers having to deploy from a helicopter.
NYPD members swam under the overturned boat and were able to confirm that a woman was conscious, but tangled in the gear.
Upon the FDNY's arrival, five people had been removed from the water by other city and county agencies, and one remained trapped underneath the overturned boat. Although trapped, and surrounded by debris, the individual found a pocket of air and remained there while the rescue operation was underway, an FDNY official stated.
"Firefighter Rooney secured the individual, and Marine 4 members used a tethered line to pull Firefighter Rooney and the rescued person to the safety of the fireboat.
"We train throughout the year in marine rescue, and before the FDNY Summer Boat Program begins in May, we complete a two-week course that is mandatory for all Firefighters and Officers," Fire Lt. Ilya Zerakhto said. "We drill every single day on the water, and we hold interagency drills. The teamwork today between FDNY and the other agencies was exceptional."
All six passengers were taken to North Shore University Hospital for precautionary treatment on non-life-threatening injuries. There is not believed to be any criminality involved in the incident.
According to reports, the woman who was rescued was conscious and alert at the time of the rescue, though she had gone into a hypothermic shock before the save.
The FDNY and NYPD were assisted by the New Rochelle Police Department, Port Washington Fire Department, Mamaroneck Fire Department, Nassau County Police Department’s Marine Bureau and the North Hempstead Bay Constable.
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