Two Boaters and Their Dogs Rescued from Burning Vessel Near Fire Island
By Shoshanna McCollumFireworks were not the only thing visible burning off coast of Fire Island on the Fourth of July on Tuesday evening. A vacationing couple from Newburgh, NY had recently departed from Barrett Beach in their 30-foot pleasure cruiser when it began overheating and erupted into flames roughly two miles off-shore, at about 5:15 p.m.A 45-year old female, her 41-year old male companion, and their two pet dogs jumped overboard – all wearing lifejackets. They floated in the Great South Bay until rescued by a 70-year old Lindenhurst man, who brought everyone safely aboard his 38-foot Tiara yacht less than a half hour later.Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau, U.S. Coast Guard, Fire Island Pines, Sayville, and Hagerman Fire Departments all arrived at the scene. There were no injuries reported among firefighters or passengers, but the boat was a total loss and sank into the bay.All officials agree that the lifejackets for both human and canine passengers prevented this incident from becoming a tragedy.
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