Man rescued after canoe capsizes in Great South Bay

A Coram man had to be rescued by Suffolk County police marine officers after his canoe capsized Saturday in Great South Bay.

The man, 58, whose name wasn't released by police, was in a canoe with a friend, a 39-year-old East Patchogue woman, when the canoe overturned about 11:05 a.m. about a mile east of Watch Hill on Fire Island.

Marine Unit commander Sgt. David Cherkes said that the woman was able to climb back into the canoe and attempted to throw her friend a life jacket but failed.

"He drifted away in cold water and high winds," Cherkes said.

The woman called 911 from a cell phone and two marine units and a police helicopter were called in. Officers in the helicopter found the woman about a mile east of Watch Hill and transported her to Watch Hill Marina in Fire Island.

Marine officers Keith Magliola, Dan Smith and Joe White found the man treading water about 11:25 a.m.

"He was tired and cold," Cherkes said.

The man declined medical attention and was reunited with his friend at Watch Hill Marina.

Cherkes said man was lucky to survive without a life vest in the chilly water.

"The victim nearly drowned," Cherkes said. "It was 25-knot winds and a small craft advisory. The water was very choppy. It was a terrible day for what they did."