Hempstead Town Adds Emergency Boat Dock, Access to Long Beach E.R. Facility for Sea Rescues
The new dock, mooring piles, pier and railings comprise a well-engineered system that will allow boating accident victims to be transported directly to the emergency room by water, saving precious time. Joining Santino and D’Esposito at a pre-Labor Day ribbon cutting was Richard J. Murphy, President & CEO of South Nassau Communities Hospital.
In emergencies, time is critical,” agreed Richard J. Murphy, South Nassau’s President & CEO. “The new dock will allow us to see patients more quickly and provide an important new point of water access for the Long Beach Emergency Department.
The dock and ramp will be utilized by the Town of Hempstead Bay Constables, Nassau County Police Department’s Marine Bureau, the Long Beach Police Department’s Marine Bureau and local fire departments that have marine rescue units. A mock patient transfer was performed by the Town of Hempstead Bay Constables along with personnel from South Nassau Emergency Department, to showcase the efficiency of the ramp when transporting victims of boating accidents.
The new structure features two new floating dock sections, where the emergency rescue boats from the various jurisdictions can tie up. Additionally, the boat rescue access dock includes an aluminum ramp with hand rails, an elevated platform, and four pilings. South Nassau also has installed lighting and an intercom system to facilitate communication between Emergency Department staff and first responders. South Nassau staff also is undergoing training on dock transfers of patients to ensure safety of patients and personnel.
The new marine structure is more weather resistant and will stand strong for many years to come. The town used in-house labor from the department of Conservation and Waterways to perform the installation. All of the equipment used is commercial grade, and was delivered via a town tug and push boat. Construction of the structure was completed within a week. The total cost of the project was $58,992.
Boating is not restricted to the summer, and neither are accidents. The new floating dock will be available year-round and is durable enough to persevere even through the toughest of seasons.
In 2015, the U.S. Coast Guard counted 4,158 nationwide accidents that involved 626 deaths and 2,163 injuries as a result of recreational boating accidents. Town and hospital officials have stated that it is their united goal to reduce boating fatalities by making the new boat ramp available to facilitate quicker marine rescues and emergency water transports.
Based on an entry that was was posted in Anthony Santino, Town of Hempstead on Sept.6