Boaters Faced Peril in Search for Signs of Life

Following the traditions that bind together those who work the sea, scores of volunteer boaters put out in their crafts Wednesday, braving darkness and the flames of burning jet fuel in a futile search for survivors of TWA Flight 800.

The flat, black sea looked like a floating city of lights near the downed 747 jetliner, as small craft mingled with Coast Guard cutters during the search. Helicopters churned overhead.

“There are so many bodies, there are so many bodies,” one boater was overheard saying on a marine radio frequency.

Pete Scopinich of Hampton Bays piloted a fishing trawler within 100 yards of the flames, where a wing section floated on the surface.

“Oh my God, I’ve never seen anything like this in my life,” Scopinich said. “This is unbelievable.”

A rescue helicopter hovered above a partially submerged life raft, searching for signs of life. “I’m going down lower to see if there is anything under it,” the pilot was overheard saying on the radio.

Other rescuers radioed for extra body bags and plastic gloves.

The inky sea, lighted to an eerie glow by the burning fuel, was littered with debris from the downed aircraft. Shredded seat cushions and other items bobbed in the waves.

Flames, fed by a fuel slick that stretched more than 50 yards wide and 100 yards long, were still visible more than four hours after the crash. Fumes from the flames added to a low fog.

Just after 9 p.m., Bryan Kerns, who lives on Tuthill Point Road across from the Moriches Inlet, sailed out in his 19-foot-boat toward the reported crash scene. In the darkness, Kerns said he saw burning debris spread over about a thousand feet on the water.

Kerns, 29, said he could see scores of other boats, including Coast Guard vessels, headed in the direction of the scene. “The boat traffic was incredible,” said Kerns. “Spotlights were everywhere.”

But with his small craft, Kerns figured he would interfere more than help. “If we were in a better position to help . . . then we would have done anything we could,” he said. “We were hoping that we would be able to help.”

The crew of about six people, including neighbors and friends, spent about half an hour on the water before heading back.