Hovercraft Rescue - SeaBreeze

SEABREEZE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT

Date: February 2007
Rescued: Four Snowmobilers
Pilots & Rescue Team: Sea Breeze Volunteer Fire Crew

Sea Breeze Hovercraft Saves Lives by Leah George ~ RNews, February 11, 2007

Four snowmobilers in Wayne County are counting their blessings.

They lost their way and drove into the frigid water of Sodus Bay over the weekend. They are now out of the hospital and doing okay after suffering from hypothermia.

A big reason two of the snowmobilers are alive is the Sea Breeze Volunteer Fire Department in Irondequoit. It's one of the only two departments in upstate New York that owns a hovercraft. When members of the ice rescue team heard the call come across the scanners they suited up and drove 25 miles east to help.

Unlike any other rescue vehicle, hovercrafts can do 70 to 80 miles per hour on ice. "People though when we first got it, [it] was an overkill or a waste of money but you can't put a price tag on lives so the 40 thousand dollars that it cost was definitely worth it last night," firefighter Dave Deroller said.

Chief John McDonald says Saturday's rescue was a perfect example of why the department bought the hovercraft a decade ago, to save time on the ice and save lives. He says the department will use the vehicle anywhere help is needed.

SEABREEZE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT

Date: February 2007 Rescued: Four Snowmobilers Pilots & Rescue Team: Sea Breeze Volunteer Fire Crew

Sea Breeze Hovercraft Saves Lives by Leah George ~ RNews, February 11, 2007

Hovercraft Rescue Report

Date: February 2007
Rescued: Four Snowmobilers
Pilots & Rescue Team: Sea Breeze Volunteer Fire Crew