As technology evolves, so does the way distressed boaters seek help.
In lieu of traditional VHF radios, boaters frequently turn to dialing 911 when an emergency arises, especially when close to shore where a cell signal is still strong. That has, at times, led to poor communication between different departments coordinating a rescue and delayed notification to the U.S. Coast Guard, according to Joe Frohnhoefer III, CEO of Sea Tow, based in Southold. READ
Southold Bay constables John Kirincic and Kristopher Dimon helped the Coast Guard Sunday after a boat ran aground near Plum Island, Southold Town police said. READ
Members of the Orient Fire Department, Southold Town Police Department and Plum Island ferry were honored Tuesday by the U.S. Coast Guard for their role in a water rescue last month. (more…)
Krystyna Duffy joined the U.S. Coast Guard a year after graduating from Southold High School in 2004. She had always wanted to serve. She viewed the four-year commitment as a way to earn money toward college. She didn’t envision what happened next. READ
As the popularity of paddle craft — such as kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards — increases across the country, so have related marine incidents. READ
The U.S. Coast Guard and the Plum Island Ferry helped a boater in distress off Orient Point late Thursday afternoon, following a call of a disabled 80-foot yacht drifting toward Plum Island. READ
A Russian ship — reportedly an intelligence vessel — was spotted sailing up the East Coast near Long Island in international waters, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed Wednesday.
Following the death of founder Joseph Frohnhoefer Jr. last year, Sea Tow Services International has named his son, Capt. Joseph Frohnhoefer III as Chief Executive Officer of the company, and his daughter Kristen Frohnhoefer, as president. READ
The Frohnhoefer family (from left) Kristen, Joseph III and parents Joseph and Georgia in July 2012. (Credit: Courtesy photo)
Boaters across the world are safer today thanks to Sea Tow founder Joseph Frohnhoefer Jr., said U.S. Coast Guard Captain Ed Cubanski, sector commander of Long Island Sound.
The Long Island Sound shoreline near Soundview Avenue in Southold as it appeared about 11 a.m. on Feb. 16. Just a day before freezing over, large swells as high as 10 feet could be seen in the Sound from the Southold Town beach. (Credit: John-Paul Stanisic)
You could be forgiven for thinking this February has been colder than usual. It has. But just how much colder — a staggering 10.8 degrees below normal — has surprised even meteorologists, who say the month is on track to become Long Island’s coldest February on record.
The consistent cold snap has caused a rare phenomenon, one not seen for nearly 40 years: Long Island Sound is freezing over, so to speak.
“I’ve never seen it freeze over like this,” said Dominick Mavellia of Southold, whose home overlooks the frozen waters. “It looks like Antarctica … it’s quite beautiful.” (more…)