A boating accident in Amityville on July 1 brought together off-duty Coast Guard members, bay constables, firefighters, and fellow boaters in a rescue that officials say underscores the importance of first responders.
Town of Babylon officials honored the individuals who helped save an off-duty police officer who suffered life-threatening injuries in a boating accident in the Great South Bay during a recent Town Board meeting.
The officer and his father were thrown from their boat while boating off Amityville on July 1, 2026. The officer was seriously injured by the boat’s propeller, prompting an emergency response from fellow boaters and emergency personnel.
Four off-duty United States Coast Guard members, who were returning from a day of surfing, rushed to help. Bay constables from the Town of Oyster Bay also responded, and members of the Amityville Fire Department provided medical care and transported the injured officer to Good Samaritan Medical Center.
Officials said the rescue involved multiple agencies and individuals who acted quickly to help the injured officer.
“What would this world look like without our first responders?” said Town Councilman Terence McSweeney, the board’s public safety chairman. “When someone’s life is on the line, they don’t hesitate. They step up, put others first and do whatever they can to help. This incident is a powerful example of how preparation, courage and teamwork can make all the difference.”
McSweeney, who said he has spent much of his life around first responders, praised those involved for their quick thinking and willingness to help.
“They don’t ask who you are or where you’re from,” McSweeney said. “When someone needs help, they act.”
The Town Board’s recognition highlighted the role that both on-duty and off-duty personnel can play in an emergency, as well as the importance of bystanders who step in to assist.
McSweeney said the town remains committed to supporting the men and women who respond to emergencies and put themselves at risk to protect others.
“We will always stand behind and support those who run toward danger when others need help,” he said. “Their courage and selflessness deserve our deepest gratitude.”
Officials thanked everyone who took part in the rescue, crediting their actions with helping save a life when every second counted.
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