The Centerport Fire Department was alerted by local residents to rescue a man stuck in the mud off Centerport Beach at the end of Little Neck Road. Firefighters arrived to find the man stuck up to his waist in mud about 50-feet offshore. Crews donned Mustang water rescue suits and used shovels and oars to dig the man out by loosening up the mud around him. They placed a life vest around him to keep him safe during the 20-minute rescue operation, and used a rope to pull him out to safety. The man, who was out clamming, was uninjured. Under the command of First Assistant Chief Kyle McLaughlin, crews responded with a heavy rescue truck, engine, support van and paramedic unit. The Halesite Fire Department assisted with a Hovercraft and an engine, as well as the Huntington Harbormaster and Suffolk County Police.
– Fire News story by Steve Silverman, photos courtesy Centerport FD
