An officer at a Coast Guard station on eastern Long Island has been relieved of command after photos turned up on the Internet of two rescue boats training in heavy surf generated by Hurricane Bill.
A United States Coast Guard rescue boat battles the surf off Montauk Point in New York, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2009. A Coast Guard commander said that Chief Petty Officer James Weber put his boats and crews in a dangerous situation during the August storm. Weber has been relieved of command after photos turned up on the Internet of two rescue boats training in heavy surf generated by Hurricane Bill. (AP Photo/Thomas Colla)
A Coast Guard commander said that Chief Petty Officer James Weber put his boats and crews in a dangerous situation during the August storm.
One spectacular picture showed one of the 47-foot, $1.2 million motor lifeboats half out of the water with its bow pointed skyward as it flew over the top of a cresting swell near Montauk.
Coast Guard Capt. Daniel Ronan says neither Weber nor the skipper of a second boat was properly qualified to operated in surf that high.
Weber could still be reinstated if he appeals.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press
