Lindy Teen, Suffolk Police Help Rescue Stranded Kayakers

A Lindenhurst teen is being hailed for hearing a call for help on Monday evening that resulted in the rescue of two kayakers from the Great South Bay.

Gem Hattat, a 19-year-old Lindenhurst resident, said he heard what sounded like a person or persons calling for help, but could not see anybody in the waters to the south of his location at the Lindenhurst Village Marina, the United States Coast Guard said.

“I wasn’t sure exactly what I had heard,” said Hattat. “But I knew that if I was in distress and yelling for help, I would hope that someone on shore would risk looking foolish and just make the phone call.”

Hattat placed a 911 call at 8:54 p.m., bringing Suffolk County Police and the U.S. Coast Guard from Station Fire Island to the scene.

The Coast Guard and Suffolk County Marine Police launched their boats into the water upon hearing the distress call. The marine police found two kayakers that had fallen from their boat into the water.

The pair were lifted from the bay and brought to safety.

“Mr. Hattat’s report is an example of how anyone on or near the water can make a big difference in keeping our mariners and waterways safe by simply having the courage to say something,” said Cmdr. Jonathan D. Theel, the Chief of Response for the Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound.

“His actions enabled the Coast Guard and Suffolk County Police to rescue two mariners. It is important to note that Mr. Hattat was willing to stay on scene and provide additional information to the responders when they arrived.”

The two kayakers, who were not identified by the Coast Guard, were not wearing life jackets at the time of their rescue.

According to the Coast Guard, 85 percent of drownings occur when a mariner is not wearing a life jacket.