HUDSON – Firefighters from the City of Hudson, Athens, and the Greenport Rescue department saved four boaters from a vessel that was taking on water on the Hudson River Sunday Afternoon. The event occurred at approximately 4 p.m. just south of the Athens Lighthouse.
The Hudson Fire Department was dispatched to the scene for a boat with four occupants that was rapidly taking on water. As Hudson Fire Chief Anthony DeMarco Jr. was making his way to the river, he requested the Athens Fire Department to respond with their marine unit to assist.
The Hudson firefighters deployed their marine unit and specialized dive team and were joined by the Athens and Greenport marine units and found the stern of the boat submerged in the river. The passengers were transferred to the Hudson and Athens rescue boats and the sinking boat was towed to the Hudson Boat Launch where it was removed from the water.
“Fast response and great teamwork by City of Hudson Fire, Athens Fire, and Greenport Rescue Squad proved successful,” said DeMarco. “All three agencies deployed their boats within minutes of the call and were able to successfully rescue the four occupants.”
No injuries were sustained by the boaters or the first responders. Chief De Marco noted that this was the second river rescue performed by his department in recent months. In June, two kayakers capsized in choppy water on the Hudson River and were rescued by DeMarco’s department.
