Official: Good Samaritan helps save boater

A stranded boater was rescued from Moriches Inlet late Thursday night after a Good Samaritan found him adrift in rough water and the U.S. Coast Guard and Suffolk County Police were able to transport him safely back to shore, officials said.

Suffolk fire officials said the man, whose identity was not released, was transported by East Moriches Ambulance to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center for treatment for exposure. His condition was not immediately known.

Police said a 911 call reporting a stranded boater was received at 11:40 p.m.

A U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta H. Disco, said the Coast Guard Station in Shinnecock launched a helicopter and a rescue boat, but said a Suffolk Marine Bureau unit made the actual rescue.

She said the Good Samaritan saw the man stranded along with his 21-foot boat, but said the Samaritan was unable to make a rescue attempt due to rough conditions.

The rescue is the third this week from Moriches Inlet.