Rescue vessel

On August 8th, 2004, the Coast Guard owned and Auxiliary operated Boston Whaler CG 129 skippered by Coxswain Richard Fischpera with crewperson’s Sarah Jo Monachino and Marsha Carpenter, was in route to Coast Guard Station Rochester, returning after a busy afternoon patrol on the busy Genesee River and Lake Ontario. This was an afternoon filled with a high level of activity, including two fast ferry escorts, and two vessel tows.

During the return to the station, the crew witnessed two pleasure boats racing at a high rate of speed. Coxswain Fischpera no sooner said the words, “They are too close together,” when one of the boats became airborne, almost flipping over, and then crashing back down into the water disappearing for a quick second.

They immediately responded to the scene while calling Coast Guard Station Rochester to report the accident and request medical assistance. Two Coast Guard vessels with EMTs, a paramedic and Auxiliarist John Whitley aboard were immediately dispatched from the station. Auxiliarist Whitley is breaking in as crewmember. A second Auxiliary vessel, skippered by Coxswain Robert Brody, with crewmembers Patricia Brody, Michael Leary and Donald Seeholzer responded to the scene as well.

As the Auxiliary Whaler approached the vessel, the crew could not see anyone in the boat. They feared that the occupants had been ejected from the boat and were in the water. Coxswain Fischpera maneuvered alongside the disabled boat and found three injured persons lying on the deck.

Coxswain Fischpera’s crew treated the victims for shock and tried to comfort them. The crew radioed the visible medical information to the responding Coast Guard boats. When they arrived on scene, the paramedic and EMTs had a Stokes litter and Miller body board on deck and at the ready.

Within minutes, the Coast Guard’s vessels and the second Auxiliary vessel were alongside the disabled boat. The paramedic and Auxiliarist John Whitley were transferred to the disabled boat and they began treating and stabilizing the patient’s for transport.

While this medical effort was underway, Coxswain Fischpera and his crew took a position where they could prevent other boats from getting too close and causing disruptive wakes.

During the process of treating and stabilizing the injured, the disabled vessel began to take on water. Auxiliary Coxswain Brody and his crew (the second Auxiliary vessel on-scene) retrieved a pump from one of the Coast Guard vessels and started a dewatering operation.

It was determined that one of the injured had a broken leg. This person was strapped into the Stokes litter that was resting on the stern of the disabled vessel. Since the stern area was taking on water, the attendants rapidly transferred the patient to one of the Coast Guard boats.

A female passenger was unconscious. She suffered a head and neck injury, possible broken ribs, and a possible collapsed lung. She was strapped to the Miller board and transported to another Coast Guard Vessel.

A third passenger, with a broken leg, and the paramedic were being transferred to a Coast Guard vessel just before the disabled vessel capsized. A very narrow escape.

The Coast Guard vessels transported the injured victims back to Station Rochester where ambulances and additional EMS personnel were waiting. Because of the potential navigation hazard, the two Auxiliary vessels stood by the capsized vessel. One of the Coast guard vessels returned to the capsized boat and towed it back to the station. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department will conduct the accident investigation.

The close teamwork of the Auxiliarists of Division 4, D9-ER, and personnel of USCG Station Rochester saved three lives that day. The quick response and action of Auxiliarists Rick Fischpera, Sarah Jo Monachino and Marsha Carpenter played a major part in this rescue effort.

Auxiliary crews, on a daily basis, train closely and alongside active duty Coast Guard personnel. They regularly perform crew duties on Coast Guard boats and equipment. The quick, professional response in this incident proves the value of team training, coordination and cooperation.

The Coast Guard owned Auxiliary operated Boston Whaler has been a great asset assisting Station Rochester with Homeland Security, search and rescue, and fast ferry escorts. Thirty-eight members of Division 4, D9-ER staff the boat 7 days a week, often as much as 15 hours a day.