Got his hands.

SUNDAY, 17 JUN 2007. While hundreds of people were enjoying a great Father's Day at the Clearwater Festival in Croton Point Park (NY), a life threatening drama was unfolding that could have been a disastrous ending to a day of music, dance, and storytelling on the banks of the Hudson River.

That afternoon Auxiliarist Greg Porteus was heading southbound on the Hudson River, on his vessel facility "Launch 5." Greg was engaged in an informal navigation and piloting training session with fellow Auxiliarists Robert Shuhy and Richard Detz when they observed two people in the waters off Croton Point, struggling to climb the slippery six foot bulkhead to regain dry land.

Auxiliarist Porteus immediately sounded the five blast danger signal on the vessel's air horn and began to move into position to effect a rescue. Auxiliarist Shuhy acted as spotter, never losing sight of the two men in the water while Auxiliarist Detz prepared a life ring and line.

We got him up.

The low water and rocks kept vessel facility about 50 feet from the victims. The "Launch5" crew was preparing to launch their shallow draft rigid hull inflatable (RHIB) when the sound of the danger signal got the attention of some of the people at the concert ashore.

Porteus used the vessel's public address system to direct the rescue efforts of the Good Samaritans in pulling the exhausted swimmers to safety and directed the call for prompt medical assistance.

"Thanks to our Auxiliary training and experience, a part of Flotilla 67's operational program, we were able to avert a tragedy," said Porteus.

"Launch 5" is a 53ft, steel, 26 ton, former NYPD Harbor Patrol Boat designed by Philip Rhodes. After a long and distinguished NYPD career, she was retired, sold at auction, and subsequently sunk in the Passaic River (NJ). Auxiliarist Greg Porteus, whose father served in the NYPD Harbor Unit for many years, found, salvaged, and restored the boat and operates her under the Hudson River Environmental and Safety Foundation as an Operational Facility of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

For more information visit www.launch5.com and/or www.force67.com.