Police

Kayaker saved 5 miles off Riverhead coast in L.I. Sound

Screen Shot 2014-09-20 at 1.27.21 PMA kayaker was rescued about five miles off the coast of Riverhead in the Long Island Sound this morning, saved quickly due to a radio beacon she had on hand in the event of an emergency.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the female — identified as 60-year-old Martha Bailie of Cheshire, Conn. — sounded a distress signal around 10:30 a.m.

Kevin Brooks, first assistant chief with the Riverhead Fire Department, said his crew received a call, though the woman had already been saved before they could get their boats in the water.

The USCG said a Suffolk County Police Department helicopter was the first to respond, making contact with the woman at 11:08 a.m. through the use of her Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, which gave off a signal of her approximate location.

Shortly after the Suffolk chopper arrived, a rescue boat crew sent from Coast Guard Station New Haven helped the woman out of the water.

The woman was evaluated and was not in need of medical assistance, according to the Coast Guard.

“Her preparedness was a major factor in us rescuing her today,” said Chief Petty Officer Frank St. Pierre. “We hope that others who are looking to go out on the water take into consideration that they should be prepared for the worst, because being prepared could help save your life.”