Hudson River Water Rescue Underscores Importance Of Life Jackets

PEEKSKILL, NY — Life jackets helped keep a serious accident on the water from turning into a disaster, according to Westchester County Police.

On Tuesday, around 3:30 p.m., the Marine Unit responded to a report of an overturned vessel on the Hudson with people in the water. The WCPD and other available agencies in the area responded to the area off Oscawana Island in Cortlandt.

On arrival, the Marine Unit found that there was an overturned power vessel and that ten people had jumped from it as it began to capsize. All ten were wearing personal flotation devices (PFD) and all were able to safely get to shore on their own, where they were evaluated by EMS and found to be unhurt.

Police say the situation had developed very quickly. The vessel began taking on water rapidly and capsized as the operator turned to head toward shore. The fact that all people aboard were wearing PFDs significantly increased the odds that everyone would stay safe, officials said.

"Our Marine Unit always recommends that every person aboard a boat wear a Personal Flotation Device to protect them in event of an emergency," the WCPD Marine Unit said. "While adults are not required to wear one, the PFDs must be easily accessible if the need for them arises. As this incident reveals, things can literally go upside down very fast. Wearing a PFD at all times ensures the best outcome when every second counts."

Navigation law requires that everyone age 12 and under must wear a PFD on any vessel. The law also requires that every boat carry a PFD for every person on board.

SeaTow responded to right the ship. The Marine Unit assisted and helped with dewatering the vessel, which was then towed to Haverstraw.

In addition to the Marine Unit, WCPD Patrol officers, the WCPD Aviation Unit, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Marine Unit, MTA PD, Croton- on-Hudson PD, Croton EMS, Croton FD, Montrose FD, and Tarrytown FD responded to the scene of the accident.