NYPD rescues cargo ship captain - Los Angeles Local News, Weather, and Traffic

NYPD rescues cargo ship captain

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NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -

The NYPD rescued a ship captain in trouble while aboard his cargo ship, which was anchored on New York Harbor just north of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

The rescue lasted only minutes but time was of the essence.

The NYPD received a distress call around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday from aboard the cargo ship the Grey Shark. The 60-year-old captain from Egypt was having a heart attack.

Detective Robert Brager, a tactical medic with the Emergency Services Unit, raced out on a boat to meet the ship's crew. He was able to stabilize Captain Aly Akl before the rescue helicopter arrived.

Another chopper caught the dramatic rescue on camera. On the video, you can see Detective Brager and the ship's crew struggling to steady the line as it lowered a rescue basket. The harbor swelled, and a strong, steady wind jostled the basket around the ship's bow. Finally, the line was steadied, and the captain was loaded into the rescue basket and hoisted up to the rescue chopper.

The crew chiefs, Police Officer Colin Woode and Detective Ralph Gaglioti, pulled him inside. Then, Detective Brager was hoisted up

The pilot, Police Officer Christopher Maher, and co-pilot, Sgt. John O'Hara, raced to Staten Island University Hospital, where the ship's captain remains. He is listed in stable condition, according to police.

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