Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety Marine Units Respond To Dangerous Holiday Weekend Water Rescue
On Sunday, July 6th, Smithtown Public Safety Bay Constables rescued two Port Jefferson boaters, when their kayak capsized. Upon arrival, Marine 4 Bay Constables Steven Bennett and Michael Grayson identified one individual in the water and the other on the kayak and exhibiting the dangerous signs of Heat Stroke.
“With the weather in the high 80s to low 90s over the holiday, we had residents flocking to beaches and marinas to enjoy the Independence Day Weekend. The Department of Public Safety Waterways and Navigation Division had their hands full. They handled their duties with exemplary professionalism. Not only did they demonstrate their aptitude in navigating our waterways… but after immediately recognizing the dangerous state of health of Mr. Czerni, they sprung into action to get him to safety for treatment. The work they do every day for the community often goes unnoticed… but this is a reminder of how important the Department of Public Safety is to the people of Smithtown.” - Councilman Tom Lohmann, Liaison to Public Safety
At approximately 11:07am, members of the Department of Public Safety Waterways and Navigation Division, along with the Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau, responded to a call for a vessel in distress, which was located in the vicinity of Stony Brook Yacht Club. Smithtown Marine 3; manned by Bay Constables Daniel Shannon and Blake Griffin, Smithtown Marine 4; manned by Bay Constables Steven Bennett and Michael Grayson, and Suffolk County Delta Boat arrived on the scene and began to canvas the area.
Upon further investigation, Smithtown Marine 4 determined that an overturned Kayak and two occupants were one mile south of the club, in the Stony Brook Harbor. Bay Constables Steven Bennett and Michael Grayson located the Kayak, observing Mr. Stefan Constatinou in the water holding onto the vessel and Mr Robert Czerni on board.
Mr. Czerni was soaking wet, but he was not sweating, and exhibiting possible signs of heat stroke (nauseous, dizzy, confusion.) Mr. Constatinou informed the Bay Constables that Mr. Czerni had fainted, which led to the Kayak capsizing. Marine 4 requested Rescue to respond to the Stony Brook Ramp. The Bay Constables brought the pair on board Marine 4 and transported them to the Stony Brook Yacht Club. They were evaluated and treated by Stony Brook Fire Department EMS. Marine 3 towed the kayak and paddles back to the dock. The Rescue was coordinated by SDPS Sergeant Scott Roberts.