On Sunday, September 3, an unfortunate boat collision occurred at Great South Bay on Long Island, leading to the death of a couple.
Louis Deritis, 53, and his wife Renee Deritis, 50, of Oakdale, were on their 27-foot 1989 OC/MA boat during the incident.
As noted by Suffolk County Police, Louis was at the helm of the boat when it collided with a larger 44-foot 1989 Henriques Sport Fisherman vessel around 10:40 pm. The impact caused the couple’s boat to capsize in an area north of Ocean Bay Park, positioned between North Channel and Range Channel.
In the ensuing moments, Louis was thrown overboard and was not immediately located. Divers from the Islip Fire Department subsequently found Renee within the capsized boat’s hull. She was brought aboard the divers’ vessel, where her death was confirmed. On Monday, September 4, authorities found and recovered Louis.
Ferdinand Caravousanos, 61, the operator of the Henriques Sport Fisherman boat from West Babylon, and his passengers remained unharmed. Presently, the incident is being viewed as an accident. The authorities have impounded both boats for safety evaluations.
