Smithtown Public Safety Rescues Duck Hunters from Exposure to the Elements After Vessel Capsizes
Smithtown Bay Constables rescued a father and son from freezing water when their boat capsized Saturday afternoon on the Nissequogue River. On Saturday, December 19th, at approximately 1:07PM, Smithtown Department of Public Safety Park Rangers, Bay Constables, and Suffolk County Police received the call for two subjects who had fallen from their 14 foot Lone Star duck hunting boat, stranded in the Nissequogue River.
Park Ranger Brendan Dennihy responded to Kings Park Bluff at 1:13pm, where he was able to visually locate the victims. Commack residents Fred Maser (72) and Kevin Maser (46) had drifted south and were stranded on a marsh island. Park Ranger Dennihy relayed details to Bay Constables Blake Gifford and Carmine Aro who were arriving on scene in a Department of Public Safety patrol vessel. The Bay Constables were able to navigate to the victims suffering from exposure to the elements to safely get them onboard the vessel.
Both victims were transported to Kings Park Bluff Boat Ramp where they were evaluated and treated by Kings Park Fire Department Rescue. The Bay Constables salvaged the hunters vessel and returned it to shore.