1 Dead, 3 Rescued After Tugboat Sinks Off Fire Island

FIRE ISLAND, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A missing person on a tug boat that sank off of Long Island's Fire Island has been found dead, according to the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Morgan Gallapis said the search for the missing crew members of the Sea Bear began Saturday afternoon after a crew member reported the tugboat was sinking.

"They called the vessel traffic service saying they were taking on water and they were about to enter the water themselves in their survival suits," Mark Averill with the Coast Guard told WCBS 880's Monica Miller.

"The fourth was found deceased without his survival suit on," Averill said.

Averill said the Sea Bear was traveling on its way to New York City.

Gallipis says three male crew members were rescued from the water about a mile off a section of Fire Island known as the Pines.

Three Coast Guard boats, a helicopter and two other tugboats searched for the man in icy waters, which was difficult due to the ice and fog.

"The water temperatures are extremely cold this time of year and if you enter the water we have a functional time, which means the person could only possible swim for about 1.6 hours without the emergence suit," Averill said.

Gallapis says the three men who were rescued were treated for hypothermia at the Fire Island Coast Guard station but otherwise had no physical injuries.

She did not know what caused the boat to sink.

The accident occurred during a storm. Suffolk County police said inclement weather prevented their aviation officers from flying and police Marine Bureau boats were hampered by heavy ice in the water.

The petty officer said the tugboat that sank was among three heading back to their New York City base after completing a project on Long Island.

"This tug was in the back of the line when it sank,'' she said. "The other tugs continued without seeing them. They heard the distress call and headed back to assist in the search.''

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