5-27-16 PLANE CRASH RESPONSE

On Friday, May 27th, 2016 at approximately crew members of Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department’s Marine 1 vessel received emergency radio traffic over Marine radio channel 16 reporting a downed plane approximately 1 to 2 miles north of the Intrepid.  Chief Michael Coppola #348, Lt. Roman Galloza #345, P.O. David Moscaritolo #395, and P.O. Rocco Guerriero #400 responded from the Englewood Boat Basin.

Marine 1 arrived 2nd on scene to an NYPD marine unit who was conducting security zone enforcement near the Naval ships in NYC.  Marine 1 members, NYPD, and an FDNY vessel made several attempts to secure the plane’s fuselage prior to it sinking.  There was a fuel sheen in the water and no visible occupants in the area.  NYPD Aviation responded and deployed divers as multiple other agencies and marine assets began to arrive.  FDNY remained above the down plane and all other vessels gave room for the divers to work.  NYPD managed the rescue and recovery operation and Marine 1 assisted for several hours prior to departing the scene at 2145hrs.

The use of mounted down vision and side vision SONAR obtained through a recently awarded Homeland Security Port Security Grant was utilized to map the plane on the floor of the Hudson River.