Coast Guard boat crews and National Guard aviators searched June 30 and located a fisherman after locating debris in the ocean three miles off Long Island’s east end.

The 39-foot dragger Miss Alexa was about three miles southwest of Montauk, N.Y., when its emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) sounded an alert at 11:24 a.m. Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Northeast District Command Center broadcasy an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Montauk.

The command center coordinated a joint response with the U.S. Air Force Air National Guard and the New York Army National Guard Aviation Support. The Air National Guard diverted a nearby HC-130 Hercules aircrew to the scene, while the New York Army National Guard dispatched two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to assist in the search. 

Upon arrival, the HC-130 crew established communications with Coast Guard responders and located debris in the water consistent with the EPIRB report from the fishing vessel. The HC-130 crew then coordinated with the two inbound Black Hawk crews to begin search patterns, and remained overhead to direct the operation. 

Coast Guard boat crews located the Miss Alexa’s captain with the EPIRB and recovered him. Miss Alexa owner Alfred Shaffer identified him as Mike Fallon, and told Long Island Patch that Fallon was catching bait when the boat was hit by a wave and Fallon’s hand was injured.

Fallon was not wearing a life jacket and was reported to be in stable condition, as the Coast Guard crews provided first aid and coordinated with local emergency medical services for transport and further evaluation.

“This case illustrates the importance of having adequate safety equipment in working condition and properly registered,” said Lt. j.g. Mariah Dewey, Sector Long Island Sound command duty officer. “If not for the EPIRB, the Coast Guard’s response would have been significantly delayed and may not have had the same outcome.”