Children Adrift On Raft In Peconic Bay In Hampton Bays Rescued By Sheriff Department Marine Unit

Two small children adrift on a pool raft in Peconic Bay in Hampton Bays on Monday were rescued by a Suffolk County Sheriff’s marine boat and a good Samaritin.

At approximately 5:40 p.m., Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Marine Bureau received a radio call from the U.S. Coast Guard of two small children adrift on a raft, in the bay west of the Shinnecock Canal.

According to a release sent out on Tuesday, Deputy Sheriff Thomas Lyons and Deputy Sheriff Joseph Gallo, who were on patrol on Marine 1 in Peconic Bay, responded and arrived at the scene a short time later, when they met up with Southampton Town Bay Constable Chris Fraser.

Mr. Fraser was with the children’s grandmother, Claudia Meza of Hampton Bays. Ms. Meza had attempted to swim after the children, ages 2 and 3, but was unable to get to them as they drifted away from the shore.

The deputies were able to locate the children about a quarter-mile offshore on a small pool raft. The good Samaritan, Tony Lemos of Freeport, had gotten on a paddle board and was able to hold onto the children’s raft, but was unable to get back to shore due to the currant and wind. All three were drifting further offshore.

Marine 1 was able to get Mr. Lemos and the children on board and bring them back to Shinnecock marina, where the children ere turned over to their grandparents. The children were wearing life vests and were unharmed.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. thanked the deputies and the good Samaritan for their quick response.

“These little children will remember this day for the rest of their lives, and it’s one of those stories that will be retold for generations,” he said. “I’m glad that Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs were on the scene, and between their efforts, the Bay Constable, and the good Samaritan, this whole incident will be fondly remembered.”