Town Bay Constables Help Save A Boater’s Life

Fred Uvena

Town Bay Constables Help Save A Boater’s Life

Huntington, NY – Quick action by two Huntington Bay Constables helped save the life of a boater who had gone into diabetic shock in Huntington Harbor on Sunday, August 5.

At about 5:20 p.m., the Bay Constables, Fred Uvena and Tim Lutz, responded to a call that was initially described as a suspected boating while intoxicated case when the 47-foot Catalina sailboat Mary Anne Mae collided with an anchored vessel.

Bay Constable Uvena boarded the Mary Anne Mae and found the operator, a 54-year-old man, disoriented and combative. Bay Constable Uvena determined that the situation was not one of intoxication but rather someone who needed treatment for a diabetes-related incident. He was able to restrain the boater, secure a personal flotation device (life jacket) on him and begin treatment. When the boater lost consciousness, Bay Constable Uvena secured an airway and requested an oxygen kit from Bay Constable Lutz.

A Suffolk County Police Department marine bureau officer, Charles Marchiello, who had been called to the scene, boarded the Mary Anne Mae with Bay Constable Lutz and assisted Bay Constable Uvena in administering oxygen while an ambulance was called. Dave Willis of Willis Marine also boarded the Mary Anne Mae and piloted it to the pickup point near the Halesite Firehouse, where a Halesite Fire Department ambulance picked up the boater and transported him to Huntington Hospital. They were also assisted on shore by Bay Constable Stephen Taylor.

By 6:20 p.m., when Bay Constables Uvena and Taylor went to the hospital to retrieve the rescue gear, the boater was conscious, resting comfortably and able to give a narrative of what he remembered of the incident.

“I commend Bay Constables Uvena and Lutz, as well as Police Officer Marchiello and Mr. Willis for their prompt response to the situation and for the correct assessment of the situation that resulted in the actions that saved this boater’s life,” Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said. “All of us in Town government are especially proud of how our Harbormaster’s office continues to keep our waters safe and help boaters in need.”

Photo by Steve Silverman