BAY
AREA MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE
(BAMSAR)
Providing Search and Rescue Services to Our Community and Others
The Bay Area Maritime Search And Rescue (BAMSAR) was formed in 1995, in response to the threatened closure of Coast
Guard Station Moriches (N.Y.). We offered our services to the Coast Guard, for their use, if the Station closed.
We also offered our services to our own local communities, as well. Over the years, the organization has grown
from the original five fire departments, into the diversified group we have today. With few exceptions, we currently
extend along Long Island’s South Shore, from Bayport, in Islip Town, to Sag Harbor, in Southampton Town. Member
agencies are all part of the Suffolk County (N.Y.) Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Plan. Our services include: Surface
and sub-surface rescue; Emergency medical services; Maritime firefighting and damage control, and limited specialized
services.
Part of our mission is to advocate for better cooperation and standardized training among the water
rescue teams of Suffolk County. To this end, we offer a number of training courses through agencies such as Dive
Rescue International, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the United States Power Squadron and the Red Cross. Training
courses include, but are not limited to: Public Safety Diver, Lifeguard, Surface Support, Ice Rescue Technician,
and Boating Safety.
We hold monthly meetings, except for December, and the minutes are posted on the website www.bamsar.org.
For further information, please feel free to write us at:
BAMSAR
PO Box 947
Upton, N.Y., 11973-0947
Or, you can contact us by e-mail at: TSDahlen@optonline.net