In the fading light of a warm June evening, the tranquil waters of the Long Island Sound near Hart Island in the Bronx were shattered by a harrowing scene. A 44-foot cuddy-cabin boat, carrying 22 passengers, erupted into flames just after 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, prompting a desperate mayday call that echoed across the waves. The blaze, which sent thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky, forced nearly two dozen people into the chilly waters, sparking a swift and coordinated rescue operation that would test the resolve of New York City’s first responders.
The incident unfolded rapidly, with emergency communications crackling to life as reports of a vessel fully engulfed in flames reached authorities. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY), alongside the U.S. Coast Guard, New York Police Department (NYPD), New Rochelle Police Department, and Tow Boat US, mobilized immediately. Marine 4, a key FDNY unit, was among the first to arrive at the chaotic scene on the east side of Hart Island, where the burning boat was reported. Witnesses described a terrifying spectacle: flames leaping from the vessel and dark smoke visible from the Bronx shoreline, a stark contrast to the serene summer night.
As the fire consumed the boat, 22 individuals found themselves in the water, some swimming to the safety of Hart Island’s rocky shores, others struggling in the currents of the Long Island Sound. The FDNY, supported by NYPD Harbor and Aviation units and the Coast Guard, launched a large-scale rescue effort. Nineteen of the passengers managed to reach Hart Island, while three others were plucked from the water by rescue teams. One person was reported in critical condition, suffering from cardiac arrest, and received immediate life-saving measures from first responders. All 22 individuals were eventually accounted for and transported to a triage point at 150 City Island Drive, where EMS personnel provided critical care and arranged for hospital evaluations.
The scale of the response underscored the severity of the situation. The FDNY declared a “Mayday” status, a rare and urgent signal reserved for life-threatening emergencies, highlighting the perilous conditions faced by both the victims and the responders. Firefighters, police, and Coast Guard crews worked in unison, navigating the challenges of a nighttime marine rescue. Ambulances lined City Island Avenue near Fordham Street, and the City Island bridge was temporarily closed to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles. Residents were required to show identification to access the island, ensuring that rescue operations proceeded without delay.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities yet to determine what sparked the blaze that endangered so many lives. The incident has drawn attention to the inherent risks of marine travel, particularly in busy waterways like the Long Island Sound, where recreational boating is a cherished summer pastime. The FDNY’s storied Marine Division, equipped with vessels like the historic Fire Fighter, which served from 1938 to 2010, has long been a lifeline for such emergencies. This modern-day rescue effort demonstrated the same dedication and professionalism, with responders risking their own safety to save others.
As the victims were transported to safety, the community of City Island and the broader Bronx exhaled in collective relief. While one individual remains in critical condition, the absence of fatalities is a testament to the skill and coordination of the emergency teams. Updates are expected as investigators piece together the events leading to the fire, and the city remains vigilant, reminded of the fragility of safety on the water. For now, the focus is on recovery and gratitude for the first responders who turned a potential tragedy into a story of survival.