Southold Police help lost kayaker in drone-led rescue

What started as a calm day in the Long Island Sound turned into a drone-led rescue for one kayaker on Sunday.

The paddler — who is from Brooklyn — set out from Greenport with three of his friends, according to police. It was just his second time in the Long Island Sound.

“Then the wind picked up, the tide changed, and before he knew it, he was nowhere near where he thought he was supposed to be,” Chief Steven Grattan said.

Police said he thought he was heading back in the right direction but was paddling the wrong way and became extremely fatigued. His friends notified police a few hours later — just before 3 p.m. — that the kayaker had become separated from them.

Southold Police Department dispatched their police vessel and found the kayaker through the use of a drone. The drone pilot communicated with the harbor master and guided the boat to the kayaker’s location, where he was placed aboard and transported over to 67 Steps Beach to be reunited with his friends.

“Being prepared on the water is very important,” Chief Grattan said. “Make sure you’re wearing your flotation device and keep a cell phone on you in a waterproof bag so you’re able to call for help if you need.”

Chief Grattan said other kayakers have been rescued from the Sound in the past, but typically it’s when they are in the water alone with their party on the beach, not all in the water together.