In a moving ceremony, Manorhaven Village honored eight local heroes who risked their safety in the moments after a devastating boat explosion on Aug. 20 at the Manhasset Bay Marina.
The explosion claimed one victim, local resident and retired NYPD Captain Bob Hogan, who was at the dock re-fueling his boat when the boat exploded.
Within seconds of the explosion, Kevin E. Nicoll, Jose Mauricio Soriano, Thomas Andrew Lampus, Mike Weidner, Kevin Watt, Bill Purcell and Mal Nathan jumped into action, rescuing people from the water and pushing the burning vessel from the dock.
In addition to the Manorhaven citations, which were presented by Mayor Giovanna Giunta, proclamations from Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell and County Executive Ed Mangano were presented to the honorees by Deputy Mayor Lucretia Steele and Trustee Rita DiLucia.
Plandome Manor Mayor Barbara Donohue also presented citations. She noted that Bob Hogan had been a resident of Plandome Manor and an active civic leader.
Guy LaMotta, owner of the Manhasset Bay Marina, said the men acted without regard to their personal safety and he would be forever in their debt. “Who knows what might have happened if they didn’t take action?,” LaMotta said.
Click here for more on the heroic rescue mission.
