Jul 1, 2009 8:16 pm US/Eastern
Family Rescued From Terrifying Squall
Morales Family Of Baldwin Caught In Afternoon Storm As Boat Nearly Sinks Near Old Field Point
OLD FIELD, N.Y. (CBS) ―
Suffolk County Marine Bureau rescued a family from Baldwin, N.Y. as their boat was caught in a squall and began to sink near Old Field Point.
Pedro Morales Jr., his 10-year-old son and five other relatives were fishing in a 19-foot Bayliner when, without warning, a storm swept across Port Jefferson and swirled into Long Island Sound.
"I was really scared because we had kids inside the boat, even though the kids had life jackets, the wind was strong," Pedro Morales Jr. said.
His son, Pedro Morales III, was equally afraid.
"I felt really nervous. I thought we were going to sink and no one could save us," Pedro said.
But the Morales family held on and frantically waved flashlights and set off flares to alert Suffolk County's Marine Bureau.
"The boat was full of water and sinking. The waves were washing over the stern of the boat, the engine was under water," Sgt. Chris Tamis told CBS 2. "We immediately took the three kids off the boat."
The three young children, all wearing life vests, were hysterical as the boat was sinking in choppy waters off Old Field Point.
"In three minutes, the boat was sinking," Morales said, describing the moments before the rescue crew arrived. "We just made it on time, and they did an excellent job."
The brave Suffolk marine unit kept their cool in the high seas and plucked all the victims from the churning waters.
"One of the best feelings was as I was walking on the dock; the three kids ran up to all of us and started hugging us and thanking us," Tamis said.
Suffolk police said the Morales family was very lucky. Pop up storms can be deadly. Boaters need to make sure their boat has life jackets for everyone and the required emergency equipment.
The four adults and three children were rescued in time, treated at the scene and did not require hospitalization.
For now, the son can tell the story of the day when he was rescued.
"I really wanted to thank them. I didn't have the chance," Pedro said. "If I had, I would say they were my heroes that day."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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