Fourth of July Weekend Boaters Keep U.S. Coast Guard Busy

The Coast Guard responded to 18 search and rescue and three marine environmental protection cases in Long Island Sound during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, resulting in 17 lives assisted.

The Coast Guard Sector Long Island Command Center in New Haven, Conn., coordinated responses to the cases, which consisted of calls regarding three persons in the water, three vessels taking on water, three disabled vessels, one emergency medical evacuation and one stranded kayaker.

"The favorable weather conditions over the holiday weekend meant that many recreational boaters were out enjoying the Sound," said Lt. Jeff Janaro, a Coast Guard spokesperson.

"To ensure the Coast Guard was ready to answer any and all calls from mariners in distress, we augmented our watch team to best be able to respond to any situation which required Coast Guard attention."

The highest volume of cases that required Coast Guard attention came on Sunday with eight calls for Coast Guard assistance.

The Coast Guard is America’s maritime first responders and is responsible for keeping the nation’s waterways safe.

The multi-mission service provides search and rescue, port security, environmental protection and many other services for the citizens of Connecticut and New York in their execution of duties on the Long Island Sound.

(Source: U.S. Coast Guard)