N.Y. Firefighters Rescue Seven After Boat Capsizes

July 3, 2012
Seven people, found clinging together after their boat sank about a half-mile from shore on Lake Ontario, were rescued by members of the Olcott Fire Co. Monday afternoon.

Seven people, found clinging together after their boat sank about a half-mile from shore on Lake Ontario, were rescued by members of the Olcott Fire Co. Monday afternoon.

Two adults and five children were pulled from the water by the four-person volunteer crew while a Border Patrol helicopter hovered above. The 16-foot white motor board, a 1964 MSG, sank off the in the waters near the AES Power Plant tower in Somerset.

The Niagara County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call from a cell phone at 2:15 p.m. and relayed the alert to the Olcott Fire Co.

Chief Steve Miller, fourth assistant Scott Gunby and firefighters Rhonda Kreiger and Bob Dierolf responded in the fire company's safe boat at the Olcott Marina and arrived at the scene in minutes.

The cell phone call was then lost and dispatch could not re-connect. The boat sank and the rescuers located the seven people by the cell phone coordinates.

"All seven were in the water, clinging together about a half-mile from shore," Miller said. "We threw the rescue stuff over and pulled them on the boat."

The occupants of the boat were from the Town of Lockport and had friends with them from Tennessee, according to the sheriff's report, The owner recently purchased the vessel and was out for only the third time.

The fiberglass vessel reportedly stalled out and took on water very quickly. The operator dropped anchor to check on the motor and the stern of the boat quickly sank, throwing all seven people into the water which was about 50-feet deep.

The rescued parties were not indentified.The children were 15-years-old and younger.

"Months and months of training with the Coast Guard paid off," Miller said. "It was just good outcome. Everyone's training paid off."

Sheriff James Voutour said, "The quick response and professionalism by the Olcott Fire Company saved seven lives today. They responded and located the victims in less than 30 minutes which is amazing. It once again proves how valuable it is for our fire company's along the shore to have rescue vessels immediately available during the boating season."

Gunby piloted the fire company's 31-foot safe boat which is identical to Coast Guard boats, according to Miller.

Olcott Fire was dispatched along with Niagara County Sheriff Units to check the area. The 911 Center was able to "ping" the cell phone call to a location about 3/4 mile off shore, just west of the Power Plant.

There were no reported injuries. All parties, except the two adults were wearing life jackets.

The rescued parties were covered with blankets and taken to the Olcott Marina where they were evaluated. The firemen rewarded the children with badges as momentos.

"We got eveyone dry and good," Miller said.

Copyright 2012 - Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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